Getting help for your mental health isn’t always as straightforward as it should be. Two of the biggest barriers continue to be cost and the stigma related to seeking support. For many employees, therapy feels out of reach, especially when everyday expenses and responsibilities keep piling up. And even when support is available, people often hold back out of fear of being judged, or that speaking up might somehow affect their career.

That’s where employers can step in and make a real difference. Healthy Minds Talk, offered by Richmond Foundation, removes those barriers by giving employees access to professional mental health support that’s easy to book, completely free, and 100% confidential. Staff can reach out directly, without going through HR or management, and get the help they need before small struggles become bigger problems.

Here’s how we are continuing to make mental health care more accessible to everyone at work.

Emma, an accounts officer, had always been dependable. She was the kind of colleague everyone could count on. But when her father fell seriously ill, everything changed. Between long hours at the hospital, sleepless nights, and constant worry, Emma was stretched to her limit.

At work, the cracks began to show. She struggled to concentrate, missed important details, and felt distracted all the time. Deep down, she knew she needed support, but she felt like she couldn’t justify the extra expense and time needed to seek professional help. What’s more, confiding in HR or her manager didn’t feel like an option as she feared it might affect how she was seen at work.

When her company introduced Healthy Minds Talk, it felt like a lifeline. The programme offered free, confidential sessions with Richmond Foundation professionals and no management involvement was required. Knowing her privacy was protected, Emma booked her first session. Over time, she found a safe space to process her stress, learn practical coping tools, and slowly rebuild her resilience.

While her employers never knew that Emma had made use of the Healthy Minds Talk programme, they did notice that she had regained her energy, focus, and confidence over time. Her work improved, but more importantly, she felt like herself again.

Healthy Minds Talk is Richmond Foundation’s confidential mental health support programme for employees of partnered organisations. It gives staff a private, professional space to talk through whatever is affecting their wellbeing, whether it’s work stress, burnout, grief, relationship struggles, or financial worries.

Here’s what the service includes:

• Free one-on-one sessions: Employees can meet with licensed professionals, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, or family therapists, at no cost to them. As the employers cover the programme, it removes one of the biggest barriers to therapy.
• Self-referral model: Employees reach out directly, meaning HR doesn’t have to manage the process and employees feel safer accessing support.
• Completely confidential: Employees contact Richmond directly. Nothing is shared with HR or management unless the employee gives written consent.
• Simple booking: All it takes is a phone call or email to book a session. No paperwork, no waiting for approval, no long delays.
• Support for all kinds of issues: It doesn’t need to be work-related. Everything from anxiety and depression to relationship problems, financial stress, or grief is valid.
• Legal guidance: Employees can also access advice on issues like discrimination, domestic violence, immigration, and human rights concerns. While Richmond’s professionals don’t represent employees in court, they provide clear guidance and resources to help people take the next steps.
• HR support: Richmond helps organisations communicate the programme to staff, encouraging participation and breaking down stigma. This gives HR teams the tools to support their people with confidence and ease.

When companies invest in mental health support, the benefits ripple out far beyond the individual.

For Employees:

• Access to professional mental health care without financial strain.
• Confidence that their struggles remain private.
• A safe space to process stress and develop healthier coping strategies.
• Support for both personal and professional challenges.

For Employers:

• Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism (showing up but not fully functioning).
• Improved productivity and stronger team morale.
• Higher retention rates and loyalty from employees who feel valued.
• A more compassionate, resilient workplace culture.
• Access to anonymous reporting data to spot trends and potential areas of concern.
• Enhanced employer branding. Today’s job seekers actively look for companies that prioritise mental health and provide meaningful benefits.

When you include Healthy Minds Talk in your employee benefits, you’re not just ticking a box, you’re showing your team that their wellbeing truly matters. You’re creating a culture where people feel safe, supported, and able to bring their full selves to work.

Let’s work together to make every workplace in Malta a mentally healthy one. All it takes is a phone call or email to start the conversation to adopt the Healthy Minds Talk programme at your workplace. Because when people feel supported, everyone wins.