Maltese workers amongst highest in EU suffering from work stress

Galea said at the Impact assessment of mental health on employment for policy development conference that the country’s rate of depression amongst 13 and 14-year-olds stands at 21 per cent, which is seven percentage points higher than the average in Europe. Around 35,000 people suffer from depression.

“We are aware that unemployment is one of the primary sources of mental conditions, and it is precisely the policies declared by government, based on increasing jobs, that will increase the quality of life of sufferers,” Galea said.

Galea said that persons with mental conditions are still being excluded from the world of work due to a lack of knowledge and false perceptions on various mental conditions. “A new law on mental health will be a useful tool to continue to stave off the stigma and discrimination that surrounds mental health at the workplace,” Galea said.

Galea said that mental health is a financial burden on society, and is estimated to cost the country around €100 million a year. A study on 25 EU member states found that bipolar disorders cost countries €106 billion a year.

The research found that around 12,300 Maltese workers could be suffering from depression. It also revealed that Malta has the highest rate of depression, anxiety and stress amongst workers at 29.3%, when the EU average is 17.6 per cent.

“Such statistics should commit government, social partners and civil groups to give more importance to the prevention of mental health at work,” Galea said.

“Our aims for the improvement of mental health at work could be achieved through government investement and an audit process to reduce stress at work and create a better balance between work and social life and work and salary."