A recent survey found that 17% of employees experience a diagnosed mental health condition annually, while an additional 38% report feelings of burnout, anxiety, or low motivation. Alarmingly, 28% of respondents admitted feeling miserable at work, and 60% said they felt emotionally detached.

Furthermore, only 13% of employees feel comfortable discussing mental health at work, with one in three calling for greater employer support.

Recognising these challenges, Vivian has taken decisive steps to prioritise its employees’ mental health. The company launched 2025 by initiating a comprehensive mental health support program for all Vivian staff, in collaboration with Richmond Foundation through its Healthy Minds Talk service.

“We recognise the importance of mental health well-being in the workplace and are committed to fostering a supportive environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally,” said Sarah Wismayer, Director at Vivian.

Vivian chose to collaborate with the Richmond Foundation due to their holistic approach to mental health. The foundation not only provides support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges but also offers guidance to managers, who can contact them for advice on tackling various situations.

“Our employees are like family, and their mental wellness will always be a priority to us,” added Wismayer.

Through this initiative, employees can confidentially book sessions with qualified professionals from the Richmond Foundation. The sessions are entirely private, with no notification to the company, and employees are offered several free sessions with a carefully chosen mental health professional.

The introductory Healthy Minds Talk at Vivian Academy focused on recognizing the importance of mental well-being and emphasized the value of seeking help when general coping mechanisms prove insufficient.

The session also equipped employees with tools to identify and address life stressors such as financial pressures, relationship difficulties, and personal health challenges, highlighting that mental health extends beyond workplace issues.

A Well-Being At The Workplace Report published last year by misco revealed that 86% of respondents in Malta reported work-related mental wellness challenges like stress and anxiety, an increase from 77% in 2023, 79% in 2022, and 63% in 2021. Despite this trend, perceptions of mental wellness improved slightly in 2024, with 62% rating it positively compared to 56% in 2023.

“More employers are increasing their focus on employee mental health, which is an extremely positive shift,” added Ms Wismayer. “We are proud to lead by example and will continue to foster a supportive environment where our people can thrive.”

Richmond Foundation is Malta’s leading mental health NGO, providing support to anyone experiencing related problems and the people around them. Anyone who feels they need help, can contact Richmond Foundation by calling on the free helpline 1770 or online via OLLI.chat

More information is available at www.richmond.org.mt/