Malta Chamber conference to tackle mental health challenges facing business owners

Running a business in Malta comes with high demands, and the mental health of business leaders is increasingly recognised as an area of concern. Despite their central role in driving the country’s economy, employers often receive little attention when it comes to mental health support.

According to national data, about one in five Maltese workers is self-employed, with 11 per cent running solo operations and another 10 per cent employing others. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) dominate the economic landscape, accounting for 99.8 per cent of all companies, generating over 80 per cent of national output, and providing nearly 78 per cent of private sector jobs. This makes the well-being of business leaders not only a personal issue but one with direct national implications.

International studies show that entrepreneurs and business owners experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout compared to the general population. While much of the focus in workplace mental health has been placed on employees, there is growing recognition that leadership faces unique pressures – often without access to the same support systems.

In response, The Malta Chamber, in collaboration with Willingness, is organising a conference focused on the mental health of business leaders. The event aims to highlight the challenges faced by employers and explore practical solutions to foster resilience and well-being at the top levels of organisations.

The agenda includes:

• 08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome Coffee and Registration
• 09:00 – 09:05 | Welcome Speech by William Spiteri Bailey, President of The Malta Chamber
• 09:05 – 09:10 | Speech by Matthew Bartolo, Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee at The Malta Chamber
• 09:10 – 09:15 | Testimonial Videos
• 09:15 – 09:45 | Presentation by Matthew Bartolo
• 09:45 – 10:45 | Panel Discussion + Q&A: Strong Leadership Starts with a Strong Mind
• 10:45 – 11:00 | Closing Remarks

The conference aims to provide both clinical perspectives and organisational insights, with the goal of building a healthier leadership culture in Malta’s business community.