Mental Health in the Workplace in Malta

In 2025 the conversation around mental health in the workplace has evolved significantly.
Organisations are no longer at the cusp of recognising mental health as crucial to employee well-being and productivity; they are actively integrating innovative practices to ensure a healthier workplace.

Today our BigWig team are exploring the current state of mental health in the workplace, methods to identify individuals who may be struggling and effective ways to support them.

The Current Landscape

Mental health awareness has seen unprecedented growth in the last decade, with 2025 marking a year where mental well-being is considered equally important as physical health in corporate environments.The shift has been partly driven by data underscoring the link between employee well-being and performance and also by a societal push towards destigmatising mental illness.

Despite this progress, challenges remain.

Many employees still face barriers to seeking help, often due to lingering stigmas or a lack of resources. As a result, forward-thinking companies in 2025 are not just supporting mental health initiatives but are making them a core aspect of their organisational structure.

Identifying Mental Health Issues

Early identification of mental health issues is vital in addressing them effectively. Here are some signs that might indicate an employee is struggling:

• Decreased Productivity: Changes in work output or quality that are uncharacteristic of the employee's usual performance.
• Withdrawal: Decreased participation in meetings or social activities, especially if the change is sudden.
• Changes in Mood: Noticeable shifts in mood, such as increased irritability, sadness or anxiety, which are apparent to colleagues.
• Physical Symptoms: Frequent complaints about being tired, headaches or other physical issues that may actually be psychological stress manifesting physically.

Ways to Help

Addressing mental health requires a proactive and multifaceted approach.
Here are some effective strategies:

1. Comprehensive Mental Health Policies: Ensure that your workplace policies explicitly include mental health. This includes having clear procedures for seeking help, confidentiality clauses, and support for mental health days off.
2. Training and Education: Regular training sessions for all employees can help destigmatise mental health issues and teach staff how to recognize signs of mental distress in themselves and others. Leadership training should also emphasize empathetic management practices.
3. Access to Mental Health Resources: Providing employees with access to professional mental health support, whether through in-house professionals, partnerships with local mental health organisations, such as the Richmond Foundation.
4. Creating an Inclusive Environment: Encourage open conversations about mental health to reduce stigma. Support peer-led initiatives and clubs that promote mental well-being.
5. Remote and Flexible Work Options: Given the continued relevance of hybrid work models, offer flexible working arrangements to help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.
6. Monitoring Workloads: Regularly review workloads to ensure they are manageable. Excessive work pressure is a common trigger for mental health problems.

So where does that leave the state of mental health in 2025?

The year 2025 sees workplaces not just acknowledging the importance of mental health but actively revolutionising their organisational practices to support it.

By identifying the signs of mental distress early and providing comprehensive support systems, businesses can maintain a healthier, more productive workforce and set a standard for corporate responsibility towards mental health.

As we continue to navigate these challenges, the ultimate goal for any modern organisation should be to create an environment where all employees feel supported and able to access the help they need without fear of stigma or repercussion.
This commitment to mental health can transform workplaces into supportive communities, fostering overall corporate success.