• Project number: F 2627
• Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
• Status: Ongoing Project
• Planned end: 2029-08-31

Description:

Mental health disorders are among the leading causes of work incapacity and early retirement in Germany. They have far-reaching consequences for affected individuals, companies, and society as a whole. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of knowledge on how people with mental health challenges can maintain long-term work ability.

The aim of the project is to develop a practical support tool for organisations to help them identify mental health crises at an early stage, retain employees in the work process despite mental health challenges (Stay at Work), and facilitate their return to the workplace (Return to Work).

For this purpose, the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) is developing a scientifically sound and practice-oriented guideline for organisations. The basis for this work consists of qualitative interviews with experts from medical and therapeutic care as well as from workplace practice. The results will first be analysed scientifically and translated into a preliminary action framework. This framework will then be further developed and validated using a multi-stage Delphi process.

The outcome will be an integrated tool for organisations, providing concrete recommendations for the early detection of mental health crises, working with mental health challenges, and reintegration following mental illness. The overarching goal is to support organizations in maintaining work ability, avoiding long periods of absence, and promoting sustainable participation in working life.

The project is part of the expansion phase of the German Center for Mental Health (Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit, DZPG), which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

Funding: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), funding reference number: 01EE2502G