The Mental Health Toolkit project, which concluded at the end of 2025, strengthened workplaces’ and work communities’ capacity to promote and support mental health as part of work ability. One of the project’s special focus areas was the arts, culture, and events sectors. Throughout Finland, the project provided various forms of support and practical tools to enhance the mental wellbeing of self-employed professionals and freelancers working in these fields.
The Finnish Musicians’ Union was a project partner in the initiative led by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, alongside the Arts Promotion Centre Finland and the Trade Union for Theatre and Media Finland. From the Finnish Musicians’ Union, freelance specialist Jaakko Kämäräinen worked on the project. Cupore served as a partner during 2023–2024.
The Vahvistin Peer Group Model Developed from Coaching and Peer Groups
Approximately 200 people, most of them artists, participated in the project’s coaching and peer groups. Research conducted on these groups demonstrated positive effects on participants’ perceived work ability and self-efficacy. Based on the coaching and peer group activities and the research findings, the project experts developed the Vahvistin peer group model.
The Vahvistin peer group model is designed to promote the work ability of self-employed professionals, freelancers, grant recipients, and sole entrepreneurs in the arts, culture, and events sectors. This low-threshold model guides groups forward through structured themes and exercises. Vahvistin is aimed at promoting mental wellbeing and strengthening personal resources. It can be used by self-directed groups as well as by sectoral organisations and associations.
Wellbeing Days Brought Joy
During the project, a total of nine wellbeing days were organised for professionals in the arts, culture, and events sectors across Finland. The wellbeing days were particularly targeted at freelancers and self-employed professionals. They brought together hundreds of participants to explore ways to support work ability, network with peers, and take part in recreational and recovery-focused activities.
Freelancers and the Self-Employed Need Wellbeing Support
Activities organised through the Mental Health Toolkit project highlighted the need for mental wellbeing support in the arts, culture, and events sectors. As a result of the project, services supporting freelancers’ wellbeing have been strengthened and established within two participating trade unions: the Trade Union for Theatre and Media Finland and the Finnish Musicians’ Union.
“Changing organisational culture so that supporting work ability and coping at work are seen more broadly as essential prerequisites for creative work requires recognising and acknowledging the need for support. Change is slow, but this project has been a significant step toward that cultural shift,” says Heidi Naakka from Trade Union for Theatre and Media Finland.
“At the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, we work broadly to promote artists’ occupational wellbeing. The Mental Health Toolkit project has provided us with valuable insights, and we will continue to promote awareness of the Vahvistin model developed in the project and its potential as a solution to support wellbeing in the working lives of artists and cultural professionals. We will also continue working on issues related to artists’ income security and social protection,” says Susanna Mäki-Oversteyns from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland.
Research Findings and the Mieliala Radio Programme
A comprehensive register-based study conducted during the project showed that, as in other sectors, the prevalence of mental health problems has increased in the arts, culture, and events sectors. According to barometer studies by Cupore and the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, artists’ occupational wellbeing varies by age group and artistic field, and is also influenced by factors such as concerns about income and, conversely, the perceived meaningfulness of work.
Research conducted during the project examined the career paths and wellbeing of arts and culture professionals. The study will be published at a later date.
The project themes were also discussed in the Mieliala radio programme on Radio Helsinki. Over four seasons, discussions led by psychologist Marjukka Laurola and workplace counsellor and musician Jaakko Kämäräinen explored phenomena related to work, occupational wellbeing, and working life more broadly in the arts, culture, and events sectors.
The Mental Health Toolkit project of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health is part of the National Mental Health Programme for Working Life. The project is funded through Finland’s Sustainable Growth Programme under the EU’s one-time recovery instrument (NextGenerationEU) via the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Project partners include the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, the Finnish Musicians’ Union, and the Trade Union for Theatre and Media Finland.