Swedish Workplace Mental Health Films Launch as NHL Star Victor Hedman Prioritizes Mental Well-being

In a dual spotlight on mental health in Sweden, Always Mind has introduced three new training films designed to simplify mental health work for companies, while Swedish NHL player Victor Hedman has publicly disclosed his temporary career pause to focus on his mental health.

Always Mind’s films, each approximately five minutes long and offered in Swedish and English, are built on scientific principles and feature exercises to enhance psychological resilience. These films encourage workplace discussions and actionable steps for mental well-being, aiming to embed mental health awareness into daily professional life. Helena Reje, CEO of Always Mind, emphasized how the films promote practical mental health support within organizations. The initiative was inspired by Axelent, a client who used these films on their global employee day. Axelent's CHRO Katarina Hedlöf Schwartz praised the films, noting the crucial role of attending to both mental and physical health at work.

On the individual front, Victor Hedman, an acclaimed NHL player for the Tampa Bay Lightning, broke his silence about his absence since March. He revealed he took a difficult but necessary step back from hockey to focus on his mental health. Hedman expressed gratitude toward his family, teammates, the organization, and his therapist for their support during this challenging period marked by injuries including elbow surgery. He stated, "During the past few months, I have chosen to take a step back to focus on my mental health. It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one."

Hedman’s season has been overshadowed by physical and mental health challenges prompting his placement on the injury list. Since entering the NHL in the 2009/10 season, Hedman has accumulated 811 points over 1,164 games. His decision highlights the growing recognition of mental health’s importance even among elite athletes.

Together, these developments reflect Sweden’s broader commitment to fostering mental health awareness from organizational initiatives to individual courage, signalling a shift toward integrating mental wellbeing more deeply into work and sport environments.