When the Threshold Breaks: How AI Therapy Can Help Address Rising Sick Leave and Mental Health Challenges at Work

## Introduction Sick leave in Norway continues to rise, putting *mental health in the workplace*, stress and burnout even more firmly on the agenda. The numbers invite reflection but also a search for new solutions. One of the most promising developments right now is the use of AI therapy as a low‑threshold offering for mental health issues — a measure that can make a significant difference for both employees and organizations. According to recent figures from NAV and VG, medically certified sick leave has reached its highest level since 2009. This signals a working life with increasing challenges and a need for more effective HR initiatives. In this article we look closer at sick leave trends, the causes — especially mental disorders and stress — and how AI therapy can be an important tool for prevention and management. You will also get concrete recommendations on how managers, HR and employees can adopt modern solutions to promote mental health at work. ## Current figures and trends: What do the numbers say now? Figures from NAV, reported in VG, show that "medically certified sick leave increased from 6.7 percent in 2023 to 6.8 percent in 2024," a level not seen since 2009. Behind these numbers lie thousands of lost workdays and increased pressure on both colleagues and companies. *Sick leave due to mental disorders* is an increasing share of the total, which highlights the need for new and more accessible support measures — such as AI therapy. Sick leave is particularly high in sectors like health care, social care, education and customer service. Job stress, burnout and mental health issues are often central. The NAV sick leave 2024 report supports that differences between industries and regions are significant, but that poor mental health is a common denominator. ## Why the increase? Drivers behind sick leave Sick leave rarely has a single cause. Increased workload, digitalization, reduced social support and economic uncertainty all contribute. *Mental health in the workplace*, stress and burnout are highlighted in HR surveys as reasons more people are reporting sick. This creates a need for new, more accessible tools for support and prevention. In recent years AI therapy has gained traction as a low‑threshold offering that can help employees quickly and anonymously. Many experience high barriers to seeking traditional help — because of waiting lists, stigma or uncertainty about where to turn. With AI therapy, employees have a digital, always-available tool to manage stress, sleep problems or emerging mental health issues before they develop into sick leave. ## Consequences for organizations and employees Increased sick leave causes financial losses, reduced productivity, a poorer work environment and greater strain on healthy colleagues. For employees it can mean increased stress and a higher risk of long-term absence. Here, AI therapy can play an important role: by offering a low‑threshold, anonymous and easily accessible conversational tool for mental health issues, companies can support employees before problems escalate. Such AI-based support can also help reduce stigma and make it easier to address personal challenges early. ## How AI therapy can reverse the trend AI therapy is a form of digital conversational therapy where artificial intelligence provides guidance, support and practical advice via chat or voice. It can address stress management, sleep, anxiety or mild depressive symptoms. For employees this means accessible help regardless of time and place — and without waiting lists. For companies and HR, AI therapy offers the opportunity to provide preventive mental health support to all employees without large additional costs or lengthy processes. Experiences from organizations that have implemented such solutions suggest that more people are willing to accept help earlier — and that this can reduce both short‑ and long‑term absence related to mental disorders. Examples of how AI therapy can be integrated into HR initiatives: - Part of onboarding and training on workplace well‑being - Accessible via the company's intranet or health portal - Combined with regular workplace climate surveys - Personalized conversations and exercises for stress, burnout and sleep ## Predictions: How might the trend continue? If more organizations implement modern, low‑threshold offerings like AI therapy, it is realistic to expect a leveling off or even a reduction in sick leave linked to mental disorders. If such measures are absent, absence may continue to rise, as some NAV 2024 sick leave forecasts suggest. - **Conservative scenario:** AI therapy and other low‑threshold offerings become standard in working life. Sick leave stabilizes or declines. - **Moderate scenario:** Some organizations take action, but many lag behind. Sick leave increases slowly. - **Pessimistic scenario:** Little investment in prevention and no technological innovations adopted. Sick leave rises significantly. ## Concrete measures: How managers and HR can use AI therapy 1. **Offer AI therapy as a complement to traditional services:** Make it easy for employees to access support anonymously and when it suits them. 2. **Include AI tools in workplace surveys:** Let employees provide feedback on how digital solutions help them. 3. **Train managers:** Give managers knowledge about how AI therapy works and how to encourage employees to use it. 4. **Combine AI therapy with systematic follow‑up:** Use anonymized data from AI tools to identify needs for further measures. 5. **Communicate low threshold and anonymity:** This reduces stigma and encourages earlier help‑seeking. AI therapy is not a replacement for traditional treatment of serious mental disorders, but a valuable supplement that can prevent and detect problems early. ## Practical advice for employees: How to use AI therapy to take care of yourself - **Start a conversation early:** Use AI therapy as soon as you notice stress, anxiety or concentration problems. - **Try different features:** Many AI tools offer stress management, sleep guidance and mindfulness — explore different modules. - **Use it as a supplement:** Combine AI therapy with conversations with your manager or HR, and seek professional help when needed. - **Be open to new solutions:** New tools can lower the threshold for tackling challenges early. ## Measure impact and track developments with digital tools When organizations adopt AI therapy, it's easy to measure impact through anonymous usage data, feedback and sick leave figures. Combine this with traditional workplace surveys to adjust efforts. ## Short‑ and long‑term outlook for Norwegian working life In the short term, AI therapy can help stabilize sick leave, especially if more organizations adopt it. In the long term, digital support could become a natural part of HR measures and sick leave prevention for mental disorders. This would create a working life where mental health and prevention are truly central. ## Conclusion: AI therapy — a low‑threshold offering for a healthier workplace Sick leave is rising, and mental disorders, workplace stress and burnout are central causes. By adopting AI therapy as part of an organization's HR initiatives, managers and employees can together build a work environment where it's easier to seek help early — before small problems grow. This yields benefits in the form of lower sick leave, a better work environment and increased well‑being. The workplaces of the future demand innovative solutions — and AI therapy could be the tool we need to meet these challenges. ## Sources - VG/NAV: "Det legemeldte sykefraværet økte fra 6,7 prosent i 2023 til 6,8 prosent i 2024" and "Dette er det samme nivå som i 2009, og før det må vi tilbake til 2003 for å finne et høyere nivå." (VG / report on NAV figures). Source: https://www.vg.no/helse/i/4BK1Pg/nav-hoeyeste-sykefravaer-siden-2009 (Article is based on published figures and descriptions as presented in the sources listed above.)