Factsheet for measure
MT-2021-36/2020
– measures in Malta
Mentrepreneurial (Ment+): supporting entrepreneurial mental health
Background information
COVID-19 had an enormous impact upon business owners and company leaders. The challenges of fighting to keep businesses afloat, adapting them to changing situations and leading re-engineering projects, amongst others, was often taxing upon individuals' anxiety and stress levels. In view of this, the Mentrepreneurial (Ment+) programme, designed by Richmond Foundation in collaboration with Malta Enterprise and Business 1st, aims to provide owners and business leaders with the correct means to build more resilient minds in order to face this difficult business environment. The project is also being supported by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Malta Chamber of SMEs.
Content of measure
The Ment+ programme provides three core elements: Training, Therapy, and Unlimited support.
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Training+
where a series of training videos developed by the Richmond Foundation are freely available. Videos include topics such as mental health, resilience, self-care, technology-related wellbeing and dealing with change and setbacks.
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Therapy+
where one-on-one therapy sessions for business owners affected by the pandemic are available. These aim to aid with issues such as depression, anxiety, conflict, as well as parenting and relationship issues that may be due to additional work stress. Up to 4 free therapy sessions are offered to business owners on a first come, first served basis.
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Unlimited+
which provides access to Richmond's phone and text support channels at any time of day.
All the aforementioned services can be accessed by means of
a dedicated website
.
Use of measure
The website of this measure has been taken down, and no information on this measure is available since 2022. Government in Malta has been funding other similar measures which might mean this one was no longer needed.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Does not apply to workers
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Applies to all businesses
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Does not apply to citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Employers' organisations
Other social actors (e.g. NGOs)
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Local funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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No involvement as case not in social partner domain
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Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
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Form
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Not applicable
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Unknown
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Only employers' organisations
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Main level of involvement: Unknown
Involvement
The Malta Chamber, an employer's association, highlighted that the initiative was one that was originally proposed by the their organisation, having highlighted the importance of entrepreneurs' mental health during such a difficult time for organisations. The Malta Chamber of SMEs noted how many of their members had suffered greatly throughout the pandemic, and whilst mental health was not an area they felt competent with, they could pass on these concerns to relevant government bodies to push for the development of this service. These employer associations joined the government entities and relevant minister for the opening ceremony of the service, and the signing of relevant agreements. Little information on the details of these agreements, however, was made public.
Views and reactions
Both the Malta Chamber and the Malta Chamber of SMEs, as well as government entities such as Business First, highlighted just how common mental challenges were for business leaders since the inception of COVID-19. All parties highlighted their pleasure at the introduction of this service, as well as hope that business leaders make use of it.
Sources
