The Why, Who and How of the Act-Belong-Commit for mental health at the workplace

Background: An employed person spends approximately 41.1 hours at work per week (International Labour Organization, 2022). The physical work environment has seen a large focus for preventing work-related sickness absence. However, the mental health challenges of work have been less studied. Mental health challenges at the workplace are a growing concern, yet systematic approaches to promote mental well-being remain underdeveloped. The Act–Belong–Commit (ABC) framework, a national mental health campaign in Norway, encourages individuals to engage in meaningful activities, strengthen social connections, and commit to purposeful roles. While ABC has been implemented in various community settings, little is known about its application in workplaces. This study explores how ABC can be used in public and private work environments and identifies key enablers and barriers during implementation.

Method: Building on existing literature examining the relationship between work environments and mental health and qualitative data material gathered in 20 semi-structured interviews with 25 participants from municipalities, the NAV Working Life Centre, and four workplaces in Trøndelag we show in how far ABC can be used to enhance mental health on the work floor.

Results: In the presentation we will show why organizations adopt ABC, who drives the implementation, and how the framework is integrated into daily routines. Three different organisational cases demonstrate different implementation pathways. Successful implementation depends on committed leadership, employee involvement, and integrating ABC into existing organisational routines. A dedicated working group, leadership “leading by example,” and systematic onboarding strengthens the process. Barriers include time constraints, shift work, organisational restructuring, and the risk of ABC being reduced to superficial “fun activities.”

Conclusion/implication: The ABC framework shows potential as a preventive and holistic approach to workplace mental health promotion. However, its effectiveness depends on embedding it systematically into everyday practices, ensuring leadership support, and balancing fun activities with deeper cultural and organisational work. ABC alone cannot repair harmful work environments, but when adapted thoughtfully it can strengthen wellbeing, communication, and inclusion on the work floor.