Talking about feelings is not something the men at the Nasta workshop in Larvik have been used to. – The attitude was that “it will work” instead of being open about it and addressing the problem, says Richard Foldvik, foreman. But a few years ago, Foldvik himself experienced that it was no longer possible. – I woke up one morning and then it was over. I didn’t get up and stayed in bed for a month, he says. He had already been struggling for several years. When he finally asked for help, he found he didn’t get it. – One of the things with this is to reduce the taboo around mental health, says Richard Foldvik, foreman at Nasta. Photo: GURO HATLO / news – I was told that I was not sick enough. That didn’t make the matter any better, he says. Getting help through the insurance When he took over as manager at the workshop, he shared his own story to create more transparency around mental health. – It is not dangerous to share if you wish, and seek help. I hope to contribute to helping someone else along the way, he says. He himself got help through the insurance. Now he has ensured that the employees at the workshop also get such an offer. Two to three times a day, the employees sit down together to chat. It is one of the measures to create well-being and be able to address things. Photo: GURO HATLO / news In an app, they can book 12 free hours of psychological treatment a year. – We see that several people here have used the insurance. We don’t see who, but that it has been used, and it feels good to be able to help, says Foldvik. One in three will suffer psychological problems Nav praises what Foldvik has achieved in the workplace. Through their course “From colleague to boss”, he received help to put mental health on the agenda in a male-dominated profession. – It is extremely important to be a good role model, talk about it, be open and lower the threshold so that others can speak up early enough, before it becomes a long-term sick leave, says Cathrine Hollekve Lekven. The Working Life Center contacts companies that may need to prevent or reduce sickness absence, says IA advisor Cathrine Hollekve Lekven. Photo: GURO HATLO / news She is an IA advisor at the Working Life Center of Nav in Vestfold and Telemark. One in three will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, according to Nav. – A significant part of sickness absence is about that. It is also one of the ailments that rarely gets better from being at home. Openness in the workplace and making arrangements at times if needed is very important, says Lekven. Should preferably be tough The focus on mental health has been well received by the employees. – It is a profession where you should preferably show that you are tough all the time. It becomes easier when you have it up as a topic with the management, says service mechanic Sander Melås. – Getting people to be more open isn’t done on the day, but it shows us that it’s actually fine to talk about psychological problems and things like that, says Sander Melås (left). Photo: GURO HATLO / news He thinks it is more ingrained for men to talk about difficult things and show feelings. – It is time that it comes on the same level as something physical, he says. Should become as normal as physical ailments Kenneth Kvisle, section leader at the outpatient clinic for health and work at the Hospital in Vestfold, also hopes so. – I hope we get to the point where it becomes as normal to talk about mental health as physical health, says section leader at the health and work outpatient clinic at Sykehuset i Vestfold, Kenneth Kvisle. Photo: GURO HATLO / news – Most of us will experience major psychological stress during our lifetime. From that perspective, this should be just as normal to talk about as a shoulder injury, he says. He believes men have a stronger culture of holding things in and gritting their teeth. Kvisle encourages you to investigate what help is available. – We will also encourage good conversations with friends and family. Perhaps they can guide further into the aid system, he says. The service mechanic at the workshop believes his colleagues have changed their views on mental health. – People have become more reflective. It is possible to talk about things, and nothing but positive things come out of it, says Melås.
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The workshop manager told employees about psychological problems – wants to curb the taboo – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
