Loneliness is not visible on the surface, but it can be felt. It can be felt, for example, in situations where one’s own role in the community is only just taking shape, in changing roles or teams, in the middle of rush and everyday life, or in remote work, during breaks in the coffee room in the middle of the buzz of conversation.
According to surveys related to loneliness in working life (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 2025; Finnish Red Cross, 2026; Work to Belong, 2024), loneliness affects an increasing number of employees in Finland, and young adults experience it the most. According to the How is Finland doing study, up to a third of young employees experience loneliness in working life, a quarter of older employees and a quarter also of supervisors (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 2025). Experiences of loneliness weaken work motivation, coping at work and, at worst, cause illness, long absences, or cause employees to change jobs.
The Caring Workplace tool, developed by HelsinkiMissio’s Work to Belong work-life loneliness program and the HUS Mielenterveystalo, offers support and tools for loneliness in working life. The tool is aimed at work communities; employees, supervisors and occupational health professionals, and it can be found free of charge in the Mielenterveystalo.fi service. The tool offers research-based information, support and practical tools that can be used in everyday work and the work community.
After all, a sense of community does not arise by itself. It is born from responsible actions and conscious caring. And even the smallest actions can have a bigger impact than we think. How does a colleague’s greeting or smile affect you as you pass by in the hallway? The caring workplace tool reminds us that these small ways of working are actions that strengthen the social health of the members of the work community.
Three ideas for the everyday life of higher education institutions
TAMK, like other higher education institutions, has several units, many teams and hundreds of employees, including trainees. We meet each other daily in corridors, coffee rooms, meetings and events. It is not possible to influence everything, but everyone can do something:
- Discuss and ask questions. Ask, listen and show interest. Wondering out loud and sharing thoughts increases trust and understanding of the other’s way of thinking and reduces misunderstandings. None of us can read other people’s minds, so it’s important to help our colleagues understand our own perspectives as well.
- Remember the importance of feedback. An appreciative feedback culture makes the work community safe and supportive. Even a small thank you or a show of support is often more than we think.
- Create space for everyday encounters. Asking a co-worker for lunch or coffee is no small thing. Saying hello to even a stranger co-worker, smiling or having a quick chat in passing. Introducing yourself to a new colleague during a coffee break or asking how they are doing, even if the new colleague is not in your immediate team.
You can learn more about the caring workplace tool and its contents on the Mielenterveystalo.fi website: The Caring Workplace tool helps combat loneliness at work
Author
Laura Sairanen, Project Manager, Student Support Services, TAMK
References
HelsinkiMissio. (2024). Work to Belong Working Life Loneliness Barometer. Retrieved 16.3.2026. Work-to-Belong-Työelämän-Yksinäisyys-2024-barometri_HelsinkiMissio.pdf
Mielenterveystalo. (2026). A tool for a caring work community. Retrieved 16.3.2026. https://www.mielenterveystalo.fi/fi/tyo/valittava-tyoyhteiso-tyokalu-avuksi-tyoyksinaisyyteen
Finnish Red Cross. (2026). Loneliness Barometer. Retrieved 16.3.2026. https://www.punainenristi.fi/uutiset/2026/punaisen-ristin-yksinaisyysbarometri-2026/
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. (2025). How is Finland doing? Retrieved 16.3.2026. https://www.ttl.fi/en/research/projects/how-is-finland-doing