October 10 marks World Mental Health Day – an important reminder for Lerøy to focus on well-being, safety, and inclusion, both as colleagues and as human beings.
According to figures from NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration), sick leave due to mental health challenges has been rising steadily since 2005, with a sharper increase in recent years. Between 2019 and 2024, the number rose by 53 percent.
By 2025, one in four cases of sick leave in Norway will be related to mental health. The trend is particularly worrying among young adults: in the 25–29 age group, 30 percent of all doctor-certified absences are now linked to mental illness.
These diagnoses also tend to result in the longest periods of absence, creating lasting effects for individuals, workplaces, and society as a whole.
Mental health concerns everyone
“World Mental Health Day gives us a valuable opportunity to talk about mental well-being in the workplace,” Vibeke Søbstad, HR Manager at Lerøy.
She is part of Lerøy’s HR network, which works to strengthen company culture, diversity, and inclusion.
“Our goal is to promote an inclusive culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, regardless of background, life situation, or personal challenges,” Søbstad explains.
The figures from NAV highlight an issue that affects far more than individuals, it influences entire communities and working environments.
A part of our culture – not just one day a year
This year, Lerøy’s national and international HR teams have been given access to information materials related to World Mental Health Day. A company-wide survey has also been conducted to collect feedback on how the day has been marked locally. The results will be shared and highlighted during the Group’s HSE Weeks later in October.
The goal is to create an environment where employees feel confident discussing mental health, and where leaders and colleagues are equipped to respond with empathy and understanding. Over time, Lerøy aims to make conversations about mental health a natural part of everyday life, not something we only address once a year.
Connection builds community
Last year, Lerøy’s factory in Melbu gathered more than 100 employees to mark World Mental Health Day together. The activities encouraged participants to see each other in new ways and to lower the threshold for asking how their colleagues are really doing.
“Barriers between departments and teams disappeared, and many said the day helped build stronger relationships and a greater sense of unity,” says Factory Manager Nan Iren Erdal.
One of the most successful activities was the use of conversation cards, which inspired open and meaningful discussions. Based on the positive experience from Melbu, this initiative will now be rolled out across the entire company.
Openness and trust as a foundation for growth
Marking this day sends a clear message that Lerøy takes mental health seriously. Well-being and a sense of safety are fundamental to both personal growth and professional performance.
Although sick leave levels remain high, NAV now reports a positive decline in absences due to mental health conditions, which is a very encouraging development.
“Let’s use this day to listen, learn, and lift each other up. Together, we can build a workplace where diversity and inclusion also mean taking care of our mental health,” concludes Søbstad.