Agenda 2030

Sustainable development, how much is psychophysical well-being worth in the company

According to international studies, every euro invested in mental health generates up to four euros in savings and productivity gains

by Daniela Russo

17 June 2025

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3' min read

Key points

Scientific study
Wellbeing and work, where are we
Mediating between production needs and the right to health

3' min read

Psychophysical well-being as an element of value useful for assessing the state of health of society, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. A certainty with which it is essential to deal and which needs new metrics and new measurement models. If the economic value of a society can be measured through balance sheets and numerical indices of wealth, value creation must not remain the sole preserve of the for-profit economy and a measure that is an expression of quality of life, well-being and happiness must be identified.

To affirm this and draw guidelines for a new model of social development is the Order of Psychologists of Lombardy, which together with the Cno - National Council of Order Psychologists and the Foundation of the Psychological Profession Adriano Ossicini, has joined the ASviS network - Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development.

'In a complex society, assessing psychophysical wellbeing means adopting a multidimensional perspective,' explains Valentina Di Mattei, president of the Order of Psychologists of Lombardy. 'In addition to economic and clinical data, it is necessary to measure the quality of relationships, social trust, the ability to cope with stress, the balance between personal and working life, and satisfaction in the various spheres of existence. Parameters such as perceived self-efficacy, resilience, sense of purpose and the quality of social interactions are becoming increasingly central. In this sense, psychology can offer validated tools to monitor these dimensions'.

The scientific study

Confirmation also comes from the longest-running scientific study on wellbeing, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, started in 1938 and still in progress, which has followed hundreds of individuals for decades, demonstrating that the quality of interpersonal relationships is the most reliable predictor of happiness and health in the long term. 'On a practical level,' adds Di Mattei, 'wellbeing assessment interventions integrated into HR policies, in-company psycho-education programmes, listening desks and regular monitoring of the internal climate are becoming more widespread, which make it possible not only to intervene on discomfort, but also to actively promote a culture of care and inclusion'.

Wellbeing and work, where do we stand

Ensuring the psychophysical well-being of workers and citizens is one of the main challenges facing companies and institutions. A growing awareness, in a context characterised by a pace of change that is often too slow.

"In recent years, awareness of the importance of mental and physical well-being has grown significantly, both in the corporate world and in institutions. Workers consider mental well-being an essential element for the quality of working life and productivity. However, despite this growing awareness, there is still a gap between the perception of the problem and the actual implementation of structured measures,' continues the president of the Lombardy Order.

Only a limited number of Italian companies, in fact, adopt concrete strategies for the protection of psychological health, and most interventions still remain episodic or relegated to high-end welfare. 'At the institutional level, important steps are being taken towards an integrated and systemic approach. The adhesion of the National Council of the Order of Psychologists to the network is a concrete example of this commitment, aimed at including psychological well-being among the priorities of Agenda 2030. International studies estimate that every euro invested in mental health generates up to four euros in savings and productivity gains.

Mediating between production needs and the right to health

The pandemic marked a turning point, according to psychologists, highlighting the urgency of organisational models more attentive to mental health. However, the work culture in Italy is still anchored to productivity models that struggle to truly integrate the dimension of well-being. Workers report increasing levels of stress, burnout, and emotional distress, often linked to excessive loads, lack of recognition, or poorly inclusive environments.

"Remote working, introduced on a large scale out of the blue, has had an ambivalent impact: it has fostered greater flexibility and autonomy, but it has also exacerbated isolation, loneliness and the difficulty of separating life domains. The most vulnerable groups have shown greater fragility. Building a truly healthy relationship between work and well-being requires a serious investment in organisational culture, empathic leadership, attention to contexts, and ongoing support policies. In this scenario, the figure of the work and organisational wellbeing psychologist is emerging more and more clearly, as a mediator between the needs of the production system and the right to health. Investing in transversal skills, emotional training and team listening can represent a competitive differential for companies, not just a cost,' Di Mattei concludes.