Mental health at work is becoming more important – use of mental health services has increased by 53%

Health insurance data from BTA Baltic Insurance Company (hereinafter – BTA) shows that company employees are increasingly focusing on improving their mental and physical health – in the last two years, the number of claims for reimbursement from mental health specialists has increased by 53%, while the use of sports activities has increased by 25%. Health insurance has already become an important requirement for candidates in the labour market, but it also allows employers to ensure a healthier and more productive workforce. This year, 50% of employers who purchased health insurance for their employees chose rehabilitation and massage services as an additional program, while only 9% chose a sports program. 

People are using mental and physical health specialist services more 

BTA data shows that since 2023, the use of mental health specialists, i.e., psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists, has increased by 53%. The increase in demand has been largely driven by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and growing public awareness of mental health. 

Likewise, more and more people are using the sports and physical activity services included in their health insurance policies – their use has grown by 138% over the last three years, while last year alone, the use of these services increased by 25%. 

"People are more likely to seek professional help for burnout, anxiety, and chronic stress, and they're also regularly working on improving their physical condition by attending yoga, pilates, therapeutic exercise, aerobics, and functional training, both in person and online. Given the growing awareness of the importance of mental health and the positive impact of an active lifestyle on well-being, the demand for mental and physical well-being services is likely to remain strong in the long term," explains Ivo Danče. 

The role and involvement of employers in promoting employee health and well-being is growing 

Currently, the role of employers in promoting employee health and well-being is becoming increasingly important as both employee demands and companies' understanding of the impact of employee well-being on work productivity, motivation, and loyalty to the workplace are changing. 

For example, a 2024 survey by research company Kantar reveals that 42% of employees already expect their employer to be responsible for ensuring their well-being. Companies are increasingly integrating these expectations into their personnel policies, not only by providing health insurance for employees, but also by expanding the services included in their policies. BTA data also confirms this trend – in 2025, 50% of employers will include rehabilitation and massage services in their health insurance, while only 9% will include sports programs that would allow them to take preventive care of their employees' health. Interest in psychosomatic optional program is also growing. 

"Health insurance has become an important competitive factor in the labour market, and employers also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of optional programs that allow employees to take care of their health in a timely manner. This is a way to reduce the risks of long-term absences and ensure a healthy, productive, and effective workforce. That is why health insurance has become part of companies' long-term strategy, promoting talent retention and work efficiency," emphasizes Ivo Danče. 

Employers are looking for additional ways to promote physical activity among their employees 

Latvia still has one of the lowest healthy life expectancy rates in the European Union – 54.3 years for women and 52.6 years for men. By comparison, in Sweden this indicator is almost 20 years higher – 72.7 years. 

One of the main factors affecting healthy life years is a sedentary lifestyle. In Latvia, only 9% of the population regularly participates in sports, and 59% of the population is overweight, which is higher than the European average (53%), according to 2024 data from the EU statistics office Eurostat. This means that, in addition to health insurance, employers must look for additional ways to promote physical activity among their employees, which has a significant impact on people's well-being. 

"These figures clearly show that health in Latvia is not just a matter of medicine or insurance – it is also the result of daily habits and the working environment. However, employers also have the opportunity to promote the availability of sports services to their employees. To encourage the public to engage in regular exercise, BTA launched an initiative last year called "Every movement brings improvement!", which aims to draw attention to the importance of daily exercise and the need to create an environment that motivates people to be more active, while improving their quality of life. These are investments that promote public health in the long term and reduce the risks of incapacity for work—the more employers who provide additional support, the greater the opportunity to improve public health," says Ivo Danče.