Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535522
9 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 MAY 2025 THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION Addressing psychosocial well-being at work: A collaborative roundtable on workplace wellness A national roundtable on psycho- social well-being at work brought together experts, government rep- resentatives, mental health profes- sionals, and stakeholders from both Malta's public and private sectors to discuss the growing importance of mental health in the workplace. Or- ganised by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) in col- laboration with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OS- HA), the event provided a vital plat- form for collaborative dialogue on the complex psychosocial risks faced by today's workforce. Discussions fo- cused on practical, context-specific solutions tailored to Malta's unique social and economic landscape, with the ultimate goal of creating healthi- er, more resilient, and inclusive work environments. The event began with a keynote speech delivered by Dr. Luke Fiorini, Director of the Centre for Labour Studies at the University of Malta, who set the stage for the discussions by emphasizing the growing signif- icance of psychosocial risks in the modern workplace. The discussion highlighted the mul- tifaceted nature of these risks, shaped by a range of external pressures such as economic demands, societal ex- pectations, and personal challenges. The conference delved deeper into the pressing challenges and oppor- tunities in tackling mental health and psychosocial risks in the work- place. A key point of discussion was the complexity of psychosocial risks, which require holistic solutions to ad- dress both individual and collective workforce needs. The session also explored the increasing stress in the modern world, driven by econom- ic pressures and demands as well as the evolution of the workforce with a greater need to accommodate indi- viduals with learning difficulties. It was further revealed that custom- er-facing sectors, such as healthcare, education, logistics, hospitality, and customer service, report the high- est levels of work-related stress due to difficult interactions with clients or patients. Healthcare profession- als face significant mental burdens, with unpredictable behaviour from patients or their families adding ad- ditional pressure. In these environ- ments, employees often experience a compounded mental load, navi- gating not only the stressors of their roles but also managing heightened emotional responses and challenging interactions. A crucial point raised during the roundtable was the snowball effect of early social skills development. Today's students are tomorrow's workers, employers, and clients. The development of essential social skills, such as empathy, resilience, and com- munication begins early in life and, if nurtured properly, can significant- ly influence the future health of our workplaces and communities. Small actions and teachings in the early stages of life can have a far-reaching impact, setting the foundation for a more emotionally intelligent, adapt- able, and inclusive workforce in the future. Another key takeaway was the im- pact of unemployment, which can often be more detrimental to men- tal health than job-related stress, leading to both physical and emo- tional challenges. Experts agreed on the importance of offering proactive support to prevent these negative outcomes and emphasized that man- agers need adequate training to iden- tify early signs of distress and provide necessary support. Leadership devel- opment was highlighted as essential, with calls for continuous training to ensure managers are equipped to handle employee mental health is- sues effectively. The discussion emphasized that improving organizational structures and cultures is an immediate priori- ty. Participants stressed the need for standardized psychosocial risk assess- ments across all sectors, which could lead to healthier, more productive work environments. Small and me- dium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were identified as particularly vulnerable due to their limited resources, and tailored support for these businesses was deemed essential. The roundtable also highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and inclu- sivity in workplaces. Many employees are still hesitant to disclose mental health issues due to fear of career re- percussions, though a growing num- ber are now willing to discuss their concerns. Experts emphasized that while therapy access is important, it is equally critical to foster an organi- zational culture that supports mental health through structural reform. Several successful models of in- tervention were shared, including the Em- ployee Support P r o g r a m m e , which serves over 50,000 workers in Mal- ta by offering mental health services, ther- apy access, and managerial train- ing. However, smaller businesses and self-em- ployed individuals face greater chal- lenges in providing similar support, and there were calls for targeted government assistance to help these groups meet mental health needs. Concerns about remote working were also discussed. While it offers flexibility and work-life balance, re- mote work can lead to isolation, fragmented communication, and excessive surveillance. Suggestions included using performance-based evaluation methods instead of in- trusive monitoring. In regions like Gozo, where mental health stigma remains a barrier, more personalized approaches to training and outreach were recommended. To ensure that mental health is ful- ly integrated into national policy, the roundtable suggested that all gov- ernment initiatives undergo a "well- being screening" to assess their so- cial and psychological impact. Minister Jonathan Attard praised the collaboration throughout the roundtable and recognized the pro- active steps already being taken by various organizations to address mental health in the workplace, such as promoting open communication and achieving ISO certification for psychosocial well-being. He re- affirmed the government's commitment to advanc- ing occupational health through both legisla- tive action and ongo- ing engagement with stakeholders. Dr. Josianne Cutajar, CEO of OHSA, concluded the event by emphasiz- ing the increasing impor- tance of addressing psycho- social risks in the workplace. She highlighted the need to cultivate in- clusive and supportive work environ- ments where individuals can thrive, regardless of their personal challeng- es. Dr. Cutajar proposed the develop- ment of national policy guidelines for psychosocial risk assessments, which would provide practical solutions and contribute to the creation of healthi- er, more resilient workplaces. In conclusion, the roundtable un- derscored the critical importance of mental health in the workplace as a central element of sustainability, employee retention, and national well-being. The collective commitment to ad- dressing psychosocial risks marks a significant step toward creating a more inclusive, supportive, and re- silient workforce across the Maltese islands. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 MAY 2025 Occupational Health & Safety Authority Occupational Health & Safety Authority OHSA Occupational OHSA Primary Logo Secondary Logo