ties an integral and comprehensive aspect of human resource policy.

Work ability programmes often do not address mental health issues directly, even though mental health is recognised as an essential part of work ability. Because of the high incidence of burnout in Finland, there is a recognised need to make mental health a more important focus of work maintenance programmes and to improve early rehabilitation services in the workplace for people with mental health problems. Integrating rehabilitation services into the workplace would also be likely to reduce the stigma attached to the use of specialised services.

Conclusion

This situation analysis concludes that Finland has actively started to address mental health issues, both at the national and international levels. Awareness of the extent of the problems and their consequences is rising. The political climate and infrastructure (extensive occupational health care services, high rate of unionisation, and legislative framework) are favourable to mental health promotion, prevention of mental health problems, and the development of efficient rehabilitation services. "The culture of mental health promotion" is evolving in the workplace: the Finnish concept of work ability is not just about promoting employees' physical health but also about mental health in healthy work organisations.