The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) has launched Budget Measure 136, through which two new free training courses will be offered. These are aimed at strengthening workers’ mental health and well-being. This initiative comes in tandem with mental health awareness being marked this month.
OHSA’s CEO Josianne Cutajar said the courses were developed in collaboration with various partners and designed to operate on two levels – individual and organisational – to bring about real and sustainable change in the workplace.
“OHSA is investing heavily to ensure that every workplace in our country has the mechanisms, structures and competence needed to effectively safeguard workers’ well-being and mental health,” she said.
Cutajar also went on to say that research shows that psychosocial risks often go unreported, despite their significant impact on workers and organisations. These courses, therefore, aim to increase awareness, strengthen preventive initiatives and provide concrete support interventions.
Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector Jonathan Attard said the OHSA was taking a highly proactive role in training Maltese and Gozitan workers – this time focusing on mental health.
“Thanks also to the fact that throughout this legislature we amended the law on occupational health and safety, we are ensuring that it includes not only workers’ physical health but also their mental health,” Attard said.
He added that with this step, Malta is among the first countries in the EU to directly address psychosocial risks in primary occupational health and safety legislation.
“As a point of reference, OHSA is not simply following the European conversation – it is helping drive it,” the minister concluded.
The initiative, under the ‘Inħarsu s-Saħħa Mentali – Spalla Għalik fuq ix-Xogħol’ theme, represents a concrete step towards workplaces that not only protect workers’ physical health but also seriously and systematically address workers’ mental well-being.
This training forms part of a €400,000 investment over two years allocated in the 2026 Budget to raise awareness about health and safety, and now also mental health, in the workplace. The aim is for the training to reach workers and organisations directly, free of charge.
“OHSA is not simply following the European conversation – it is helping drive it”
The two courses are: ‘Workplace Mental Health First Aid’ – aimed at workers, providing them with tools to recognise signs of distress among colleagues and to intervene empathetically and responsibly; and ‘Psychosocial Risk Management Training’ – aimed at those who manage and organise work, to address psychosocial risks at an organisational level and strengthen internal knowledge and procedures.
In practice, these courses are designed to bring about a tangible shift in workplace culture – from reacting to difficult situations to preventing them and identifying issues early. This includes more open communication, reduced stigma and an environment where workers feel more comfortable seeking help.
Among those present were OHSA chairperson Pierre Fava and various partners involved in discussions, including representatives from the Richmond Foundation, unions, employers, public entities, academics and professionals.
Key figures
The importance of these initiatives is highlighted by a recent report from the International Labour Organisation, which states that more than 840,000 deaths occur each year worldwide directly linked to psychosocial risk factors in the workplace, such as cardiovascular disease, depression and chronic conditions resulting from stress, imbalance between effort and reward, and long working hours.
The same report estimates that these risks cost the global economy 1.37% of gross domestic product, representing a loss of nearly 45 million years of productive life. Additionally, 23% of workers globally report having experienced some form of violence or harassment at work during their careers.
Applications
The vision behind this initiative is for every worker in Malta to have a “shoulder” at the workplace when it comes to mental well-being, an environment where workers feel supported and where leaders have the knowledge to address these realities effectively.
Participation in this training is considered a direct investment in both employees and the future of their organisation.
Applications for these courses are now open to workers, managers and employers via the OHSA website (ohsa.mt) or through Helpline 138.
