Occupational Health and Safety Service and PSION collaborate on book content 'Mental Progress and Work'

What is needed for Dutch people to become more mentally powerful through their work, rather than mentally exhausted by it? How can we make (non-)workers, employers and the whole field of work and health more mentally powerful? Get inspired by the book Mental Progress and Work. The book was handed over during the Week of Work Stress by co-author Kees Kraaijeveld to outgoing minister Karien van Gennip.

In this new book on mental progress, a think tank of experts examines what (non-)workers, employers and the field of work and health need in order to improve mentally. Chief Medical Officer of De Arbodienst, Erik Sprong, and Operations Director of PSION, Denise van Geest, also shared their knowledge and expertise from within the organization in the think tank to contribute to the book "Mental Progress and Work. Starting from a realistic, scientifically sound view of humanity, the think tank asks fundamental questions: How do we in the Netherlands actually view work? What habits do we have as a society around work and absenteeism? What thinking underlies this? The book shows how we as a society can free ourselves from old, limiting beliefs, mental crankiness and mental ineptitude. It describes how we can eventually arrive at happier, more engaged, more social, more meaningful, and more decisive people and organizations.

Organizations in which people can develop fully and powerfully mentally.

In the book Mental Progress and Work, the think tank argues that in (returning to) work, people's mental health should receive at least as much attention as physical health. Scientific and psychological knowledge should be better utilized in the design of a truly mentally powerful society and work environment. The book is useful reading for anyone interested in the world of work and health. It is a book for people who want to become more mentally powerful themselves. With the 'Mental Disk of Five for Working People' the think tank gives practical tips on what working people can do and not do to increase their mental strength. The book is also for players in the field of work and health, such as employers, health and safety services, health and income insurers, municipalities, and more. We describe an inspiring future picture of mentally strong work. And what specifically is needed to bring that future picture closer.

About the Think Tank on Mental Progress and Work

The Think Tank Mental Advancement and Work is a group of motivated scientists, experts and administrators who joined forces in June 2022 out of a desire to shape a society in which work is a source of mental strength, rather than the opposite. As a think tank, we want to increase the mental strength of working and non-working people, of organizations and improve the contribution of the field of work and health to it. We do this by thinking together, reflecting on the current situation and our habits, formulating goals and devising actions to go with them. The think tank's book, articles and models are the result of a collective effort. All members of the think tank are co-authors.