‘Mental health is a pillar of healthy workplaces,’ says Richmond CEO Daniela Calleja Bitar

‘Mental health is a pillar of healthy workplaces,’ says Richmond Foundation CEO Daniela Calleja Bitar, playing a significant role in both personal and professional success.

With work being such an integral part of everyone’s life, the stressors one faces in the workplace can impact their overall health.

Richmond Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to promoting good mental health and the prevention of mental illness.

Ms Calleja Bitar tells MaltaCEOs.mt that one of the key challenges facing society is the stigma around mental health, particularly in older generations and among men. However, she is optimistic about changing attitudes.

“I’ve been in this industry for 23 years, and I never thought mental health would become such a trending topic. However, we need to improve mental health awareness, especially for older people and men,” she shares.

Ms Calleja Bitar explains how as CEO she personally makes an effort to engage with employees who may be struggling. “If I see someone who seems different than usual, I take them aside and talk to them. Sometimes we go for a coffee outside the office just to chat. As a CEO, it’s important to recognise that without your employees, the organisation doesn’t function,” she adds.

Moving towards a healthier future

Richmond’s CEO believes that businesses are beginning to understand the critical role mental well-being plays in the overall success of an organisation. “We’re moving away from the stigma surrounding mental health,” she says, encouraging employers to take a more proactive role in ensuring the well-being of their teams.

As Ms Calleja Bitar puts it, “We need to make sure we take care of our employees’ well-being because they are at the heart of every successful business.”

Healthy Minds Work

Ms Calleja Bitar also mentioned Richmond Foundation’s recently-launched Healthy Minds Work programme.

This programme aims to help organisations address challenges by fostering an inclusive, supportive work environment with four key services:

1. Healthy Minds Talk: This service connects employees with qualified mental health practitioners, allowing them to discuss and manage issues like stress, anxiety, or depression.

2. Healthy Minds Learn: This resource offers tailored training to raise awareness about mental health and provide employees with coping strategies.

3. Healthy Minds Consult: This service offers guidance to management and HR teams on how to maintain a good relationship with employees and navigate difficult workplace situations, helping to protect the overall well-being of the workforce.

4. Healthy Minds Know: A unique employee research tool that provides organisations with first-hand data about their employees’ well-being. Ms Calleja Bitar stresses the importance of using this data to implement real changes: “If you conduct a survey and don’t act on the findings, like burnout, it can only make the situation worse.”