President calls for commitment to reduce and eliminate stigma around mental illness
President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono has called for commitment to reduce and eliminate the stigma which has "plagued us for centuries," referring to mental illnesses in society.
Spiteri Debono addressed a press conference at the San Anton Palace on Tuesday, where a month-long program of activities focusing on mental health awareness, prevention and care was launched.
She emphasized the need for mental health and suicide to be discussed openly without the stigma which continues to affect these topics, even though the stigma has somewhat decreased in recent years.
The calendar of activities was launched by the Health Ministry under the theme "Your Mental Health Matters," with the aim of raising awareness about mental health, suicide prevention, and mental health care.
In her speech, the President called for commitment "to reduce and eliminate the stigma that has plagued us for centuries regarding mental illness in our society," while reminding listeners that mental illness is a disease like any other, requiring specific care, and like other illnesses, if left untreated, it can lead to death.
While referring to the services offered by local authorities, including the 1579 hotline, Spiteri Debono spoke about the need to continue "building a more open environment for people who feel vulnerable and alone in moments where they have more questions than answers."
The activities, part of a National Campaign for Mental Health Awareness, are organized by the Department of Mental Health Services within the Ministry for Health and Active Aging.