Press Release: WHO concerned about absence from work due to stress-related conditions

In several countries of the WHO European Region, stress-related conditions are the main cause of absence from work, costing society increasing amounts in sickness benefits and lost working days. Studies suggest that 50-60% of all working days lost in those countries are related to stress. Experts are gathered in Tallinn, Estonia, on 4-5 October 2004 to discuss mental health and working life, in preparation for the WHO European Ministerial Conference on Mental Health to be held in Helsinki in January 2005.