Mental Health Takes Center Stage in October

Once again, week 41 served as the framework for a range of activities and events focusing on mental health at numerous Danish workplaces. Over the years, Denmark’s Mental Health Day has become a fixture at many companies. During week 41, businesses took the initiative to enhance the mental health of their employees. A grant of 10,000 DKK from Velliv Foreningen supported many of these events.
It is now well-established that an increasing number of Danes struggle with mental health issues. Unfortunately, mental disorders, stress, and poor social relationships are also becoming prevalent in the workplace, creating challenging conditions for many in their daily lives.
With the concept of Denmark’s Mental Health Day, Velliv Foreningen has, for several years, provided funding to enable companies to host health-promoting activities for their employees. This year, several businesses invited consultants from ARBEJDSMILJØEksperten to deliver inspirational presentations.
"This year, we’ve covered many topics such as job satisfaction – how to cultivate and nurture it, team-building, constructive communication, and conflict management. Our consultants have discussed handling changes, creating positive transformation processes, preventing and managing stress, and reducing absenteeism," says Solveig Dohrmann, project coordinator at ARBEJDSMILJØEksperten, who planned all activities for this year’s Mental Health Day.
Apply for grants year-round
Improving mental health often requires significant effort and long-term initiatives. Therefore, Velliv Foreningen also offers funding for projects outside of week 41.
If your workplace, industry, or region wants to focus on mental health at other times of the year, you can apply for support for research, analyses, or innovative initiatives across various sectors.
"At ARBEJDSMILJØEksperten, we advise businesses nationwide that are committed to making a difference in psychological workplace environments. In collaboration, we develop projects that can foster change and potentially enhance mental health. For instance, in April, we partnered with a company to apply for a project on developing a well-being policy. Velliv Foreningen approved the project in August, and we’ll be working to produce and implement this policy through March 2025," says Bent Würsching, COO and Executive Partner at ARBEJDSMILJØEksperten.
Applications for funding can be submitted three times a year – in January, April, and August. For individual companies, the maximum grant amount is 250,000 DKK, while there are no financial limits for industry-wide or regional applications.
How to take the first steps towards better mental health
According to project coordinator Solveig Dohrmann, getting started is easy. All it takes is a willingness to make a difference and initiate the first dialogue.
"Consider and discuss potential challenges such as conflicts, collaboration issues, or strengthening the organization, perhaps by drafting a well-being policy. It’s often useful to draw from recent workplace assessments, employee satisfaction surveys, or other discussions by the company’s Occupational Health and Safety Committee. This can provide a solid foundation for a project funding application. From these starting points, we can develop a relevant project and application," she concludes.
For more information about funding opportunities, visit vellivforeningen.dk.
FACTS:
Denmark’s Mental Health Day is inspired by WHO’s World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10. In conjunction with Denmark’s Mental Health Day, all Danish workplaces can apply for a 10,000 DKK grant from Velliv Foreningen.
In 2023, a record 1,868 companies applied for support, of which 1,164 were awarded grants for their events.
The press release has been translated by Energy Cluster Denmark.
Latest news
Skibsbyggerivej 5, 3. sal.
9000 Aalborg
Navitas
Inge Lehmanns Gade 10
8000 Aarhus C
House of Offshore Innovation
Kanalen 1
6700 Esbjerg
Port House
Vendersgade 74
7000 Fredericia
BLOXHub
Bloxhub, Bryghusgade 8, 3. sal,
1474 København K
Energy Cluster Denmark
Nørre Havnegade 43
6400 Sønderborg
©Energy Cluster Denmark 2025