Abstract
In order to prosper and survive in today’s continuously changing work environment, organizations
need engaged employees, rather than merely “healthy” employees who are merely symptom free.
However, the traditional approach of occupational mental health falls short because it focuses on
preventing ill-health (e.g., burnout) rather than promoting health (e.g., work engagement). Accordingly,
occupational mental health needs to use human resource management strategies to increase levels of
employee engagement. The aim of this article is to consider really healthy worker and work place by
focusing not only on negative but also on positive aspects of workers’ mental well-being. First, the
concept of work engagement was introduced. Then, current situation of occupational mental health in
Japan was mentioned. Finally, attention was paid to various strategies that can be used to improve
employ mental well-being, whereby more collaboration between occupational health and management
was emphasized.
