Supporting Employees’ Mental Health - Aġenzija Sapport

Aġenzija Sapport recognises that employee wellbeing is central to its operational effectiveness. The Agency’s approach to mental health is embedded within its broader HR strategy, which aims to foster a safe, healthy, and supportive workplace culture. This text outlines the Agency’s best practices and policy measures that safeguard and promote the mental health of its employees.

Mental health conditions are treated with sensitivity and respect across the Agency. Discrimination, including alienation or the use of derogatory language, is strictly prohibited. All staff members are expected to contribute to a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, and continuous mental health training is provided to ensure awareness and competence in this area. These efforts help reduce stigma and foster a culture of openness and empathy.

Staff who are frontliners with the service users are requested to attend Mental Health First Aid training. This is a requirement for each staff who are directly in contact with a service user. The Mental Health First Aid course teaches skills of how to manage and cope stressful situations through destressing mechanisms and skills which are easy to apply during such episodes and moments.

Employees experiencing mental health challenges are encouraged to inform their immediate superior or the HR department. One of the key practices in place is the provision of debriefing sessions following emotionally charged incidents. These are typically initiated by management as soon as possible after the event and involve all relevant staff members. In certain cases, a specialist such as a counsellor may be engaged to help employees process the incident more effectively. In addition to debriefing, regular supervision is provided to all staff. Supervision not only supports employees in exploring goals and strategies they can pursue with their clients, but also offers a dedicated space to reflect on their emotional wellbeing and how their work is affecting them personally. Team-building activities are also organised periodically, helping employees to re-group, connect on a more personal level, and foster a stronger sense of community within the workplace. These practices collectively contribute to a supportive environment where emotional resilience, peer connection, and psychological safety are prioritised. Structured programmes such as the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP offers professional counselling. The EAP provides short-term therapy with up to nine sessions covered confidentially. This programme ensures that employees have access to timely, confidential, and professional mental health support, helping them manage personal and work-related challenges effectively. Employees within Agenija sapport are also eligible to access the Employee Support Programme. This Programme, which is Government funded provides psychological support to employees through the provision of professional services.

In addition to this, the agency also has in place a Staff Wellbeing Committee. This committee is composed of employees throughout the agency whereby with the Human Resources Team’s assistance, the committee itself come up with one-off initiatives that promote all round healthy wellbeing.

Additional support measures include the Employee Assistance Fund Scheme, a voluntary initiative that allows every employee within the Agency to contribute €2 monthly from their salary. These contributions are pooled into a vacation leave fund that is used to assist colleagues facing extraordinary personal or medical challenges. Participation in the scheme is entirely optional, but it reflects a strong sense of solidarity among staff. Employees who are eligible to benefit from this fund may receive financial support during difficult times, which can help ease the burden of their situation. By alleviating some of the stress associated with financial hardship, the scheme indirectly supports the individual’s mental health, reinforcing the Agency’s commitment to holistic wellbeing.

Aġenzija Sapport’s comprehensive approach to employee mental health reflects its commitment to creating a workplace that values emotional wellbeing, inclusivity, and proactive support. The integration of structured programmes, anti-discrimination efforts, and wellness initiatives ensures that employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. These efforts not only enhance individual resilience and satisfaction but also contribute to a healthier, more productive organisational culture.

Recommendations:

• Embed Mental Health Support in Organisational Culture Mental health should not be treated as a standalone issue but integrated into the daily operations and values of the organisation. A culture of openness, empathy, and non-discrimination fosters psychological safety and encourages early help-seeking.
• Provide Regular Supervision with a Dual Focus Supervision should go beyond case management and include space for emotional reflection. This dual-purpose approach supports both professional development and emotional wellbeing, helping staff navigate the emotional demands of care work.
• Offer Accessible and Confidential Counselling Services Programmes like EAP should be made easily accessible, with clear referral pathways and confidentiality guarantees. These services should be promoted actively to reduce stigma and encourage uptake.