HEMIS

HEMIS (Bedriftshelsetjeneste) is UiT's occupational health service provider, specializing in psychosocial and organizational work environments. They are a Northern Norwegian occupational health company working across disciplines including occupational hygiene, occupational medicine, ergonomics, and psychosocial and organizational factors. They serve all UiT campuses, from Tromsø to Svalbard.

Torkel Einarsen, HSE-advisor at HEMIS, presented on workplace factors that specifically affect academics. On the positive side, freedom and autonomy over one's own work and high intrinsic motivation are strong supports for wellbeing. The risks, however, include role uncertainty, unclear expectations, and strained or isolating supervisor-supervisee relationships - the latter requiring different coping strategies than other forms of work stress, and often not recognized as such by others around you.

A key message from the presentation: addressing problems at the source matters most. Positive measures like social events do not compensate for unresolved workplace issues. Fix the problem first.

HEMIS can help in two main ways. As a confidential advisor, they can help you prevent or change a work situation before it leads to mental health problems - for example, helping address role ambiguity, imbalanced demands, or leadership issues, with full confidentiality and no contact with UiT unless you want it. Through support conversations, they can assist you in handling mental health difficulties already affecting you, connecting you with therapists or psychologists, and helping you rebuild a healthier relationship with your work. They can also provide crisis support after acute workplace events. 

Note that HEMIS is not a replacement for your union representative, nor for dedicated mental health services, but they are a valuable and confidential first call for work-related wellbeing concerns.

Contact: Torkel Einarsen, torkel.einarsen@hemis.no tel. 48 20 18 31

General inquiries: tromso@hemis.no tel. 776 91 070

Tromsø Kommune - Losen Lavterskelsenter

Losen Lavterskelsenter is a mental health service run by Tromsø Kommune. It is open to adult citizens of Tromsø who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, stress related to being a next of kin, substance use challenges, or life crises. No referral is needed. Their services include Rask Psykisk Helsehjelp (Prompt Mental Healthcare), which offers CBT-based therapy in up to five individual sessions as well as courses and guided self-help. This model was highlighted in an OECD 2025 report as one of eleven evidence-based health-promoting measures. They also offer support for substance use issues and help for those experiencing life crises such as bereavement, accidents, or relationship breakdowns.

Psychologist Robert Taknes presented the challenges he encounters when working with academics, including a large effort-reward gap, blurred work-life boundaries, destructive self-comparison, and the psychological impact of precarious employment.

Contact: Robert Taknes - robert.taknes@tromso.kommune.no - tel. 47 45 10 55

The Unions

In mental health cases connected to the work environment - such as burnout, self-imposed pressure, or difficulties with a supervisor - your union can be a confidential and practical first point of contact. Two unions presented at the seminar.

Forskerforbundet (The Norwegian Association of Researchers) is the largest trade union at UiT with over 1200 members. They offer individual case follow-up, confidential advice on hiring, supervision situations, salary, sick leave, and working conditions. Members also have access to free online psychology sessions and online doctor services as a supplement to regular GP care. They can accompany members to meetings with the employer and bring in legal support when needed. Don't wait - contact them early if an issue arises. 

Contact: Nils Christian Fareth - forskerforbundet@uit.no - nils.fareth@uit.no

Tekna UiT is a union with 460 members at UiT, part of the Akademikerne umbrella organization. They offer confidential support for difficult work situations, assist with salary negotiations, and work to translate individual problems into structural solutions at the organizational level. Tekna also highlighted the particular vulnerability of PhD and postdoc researchers in relation to toxic supervision dynamics, and the importance of knowing your rights and the distinction between your supervisor and your personnel leader.

Contact: Aase Tveito - aase.tveito@uit.no