It is the polar night in Longyearbyen. For several months, the sun never rises. The wind can change plans within minutes. And if you leave the settlement, it is common to carry a weapon.
In the middle of this landscape lies the world’s northernmost university centre.
At UNIS – The University Centre in Svalbard – teaching, research, and fieldwork are combined in some of the most extreme environments on Earth. Around 700 students pass through each year. 114 employees keep things running.
“We always have to anticipate the unexpected,” says HR Advisor Aniva Lund at UNIS.
“Weather, fieldwork, and student flows affect our workload throughout the year.”
The workday follows cycles. At times, the pressure is high. Teaching must be delivered, research completed, and students supported. At the same time, everyone lives in a small community of around 2,500 people, closely connected—for better or worse.
And when the conditions are extreme, mental health also becomes a strategic factor.
UNIS has occupational health services and established HSE structures. Still, HR felt something was missing.
“We noticed sleep problems and reported stress among employees. There was also some tension, especially during periods of high workload.”
In a community of 2,500 people, many know each other. That can raise the threshold for seeking help.
“Many hesitate to talk to someone they might run into at the grocery store later that same day. Anonymity cannot be taken for granted here.”
HR therefore wanted a solution that was accessible, flexible, and low-threshold: something that could be used before problems grew too big. Something that worked outside 8–4. And importantly, something that worked for an international staff.
“It feels so good to speak in your own language”
UNIS is an international workplace. Employees and students come from all over the world. When the new digital psychology service was launched, one thing stood out in particular: language.
“One employee said: ‘It feels so good to speak in your own language.’”
Being able to express yourself precisely, with nuance and personality, without having to translate thoughts and emotions, dramatically lowers the threshold. For many, it is about feeling safe.
The service is also perceived as less intimidating than traditional psychological services.
“It’s not diagnosis-focused. It covers concrete, relatable topics like stress or sleep. It feels more approachable.”
— Aniva Sjøholt Lund, HR Advisor, UNIS
UNIS is still early in the implementation, but one thing is clear: demand is higher than for previous services.
“That says something about the threshold. When more people actually use the service, it means we are meeting a real need.”
As part of the service, Auntie provides a reporting tool, Auntie Insights, where HR can access anonymised user data to document the impact of the service. Within a short time, UNIS documented the following results:
For HR, this is not just about individual conversations.
“It shows that we invest in our employees’ mental health. It is noticed that leadership wants people to feel well. We demonstrate that we are on our employees’ side.”
In Longyearbyen, mental health is a recurring theme and something significant resources are devoted to. There is strong emphasis on shared activities in the community, and much of that sense of belonging is why people stay.
And when darkness once again settles over the mountains, when the wind tears at the buildings and the cold presses in, the work continues inside. Lights remain on in laboratories and offices. Research continues. Students learn. Colleagues collaborate.
Outside, nature is raw and unpredictable.
Inside, there must be space for safety, support, and balance.
Interview subject: HR Advisor Aniva Sjøholt Lund
Photography: Ragnhild Utne
Auntie is a service employers offer to their employees. At its core are discussion packages that provide support for everyday challenges and strengthen mental skills such as stress management, self-leadership, and communication skills. In addition to supporting personal development and wellbeing, Auntie also offers leaders targeted support to strengthen human-centric leadership skills.
In addition to discussion packages, the service includes webinars and digital resources that support the development of mental skills in everyday life—brought together in an accessible and comprehensive offering that strengthens wellbeing and resilience. Auntie Insights makes wellbeing work transparent, measurable, and manageable.
Read more customer stories here.
Written by: Jannicke Elverhaug
Jannicke Elverhaug is a Growth Manager at Auntie Norway and a mental coach with a strong commitment to how HR can support the whole person in working life. She believes that employees do not leave their lives at the door when they go to work—and that everyone, at different stages of life, will need support to thrive at work. With a bachelor’s degree in marketing and HR management, as well as extensive experience in sales and marketing, Jannicke has a particular interest in the psychology behind human behavior, motivation, and decision-making. She combines this with a practical understanding of the HR role, and how structures, culture, and available initiatives can lower the threshold for seeking help before challenges develop into absence or attrition.