by Siobhan Page, Medical Student, siobhan@siobhan.co.uk
Depression paints a dark, painful, gloomy cloud over how individuals see the world, themselves and their future. Not only does depression affect an individual’s mind, but it also affects their body, their spirit, and every aspect of their life. Worldwide, depression is thought to affect almost 10% each year. However, it is estimated that between 14-17% of the Maltese population have suffered from depression throughout their lives[1]. Despite this figure being above the EU average, the suicide rate in Malta is amongst the lowest in the EU.
Results show that 51% of first-year students at the University of Malta felt that they were experiencing a problematic level of depression[2]. Thankfully, the University of Malta offers a fantastic counselling service, available to any student that is struggling. Additionally, many departments at the University of Malta include compulsory study units that emphasize personal development and the importance of self-reflection. For example, medical students are required to meet with psychologists in pre-clinical years and throughout their transition into clinical years, in order to discuss any problems that they may be facing with their course, as an attempt to minimize stresses.
Not only are young people in Malta supported at higher levels of education, but mental health promotion and education is a key component of the national curriculum for children aged 11-15 years25, and psychological services are available to all. Children are invited to visit the psychiatric hospitals, where knowledge is provided on common psychiatric problems, including depression, and the treatments available. Recent years have seen educational authorities working alongside non-governmental bodies such as The Mental Health Association to promote mental health awareness through lectures and education, both at school and at the University of Malta.
Despite huge efforts to increase mental health awareness, there is still quite a journey ahead to achieve de-stigmatization of mental health in Malta. Preliminary results from an ongoing study that I am conducting with Dr Ruairi Page (Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, UK), indicate that there are more negative attitudes towards mental health in Malta than in other countries. It is widely believed that a large factor for this is the small size of Malta: with a population of just 425,000, and with communities being so close-knit, many fear that they cannot deal with their personal problems anonymously. Additionally, the Victorian surroundings of Mount Carmel Hospital, Malta’s current psychiatric hospital, appear to contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health.
Mount Carmel Hospital was built between 1953-1961 as a replica of the Wakefield Asylum in England. Whilst it maintains its original Victorian structure, which many find unappealing and in need of modernization, psychiatric treatment services and provisions have remained dynamic; similarly to other countries, Malta has seen a shift from hospital-based psychiatric treatment to community-based systems[3], and this is expected to strengthen further in years to come, with the introduction of more community out-reach teams.
It is exciting to see Malta flourish in developing its mental health care services, with major progress being seen in enhanced training amongst psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and social workers. Numerous nationwide non-profit organisations have gained a lot of support over the last few years, including The Richmond Foundation Malta, Families for Depression Awareness, The Depression Centre and Caritas Malta Services. Despite Malta being such a small country, it is refreshing to see so many charities reaching out to help individuals suffering with depression, by providing a huge amount of support (via support groups and online forums) and through close work with the Health Ministry and media to promote mental-wellbeing and awareness.
112 is the national emergency number in Malta
Appogg Supportline 179
References
[1] Mental Health Briefing Sheets: Facts and Activities in Member States. Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/health/archive/ph_determinants/life_style/mental/docs/malta.pdf
[2] Times of Malta, 2011. Anxiety, depresson affects half of first-year university students. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111011/local/Anxiety-depression-affect-half-of-first-year-university-students.388607 [Accessed 9 March 2017]
[3] Grech, A. (2016) Epidemiology of serious mental illness in Malta- Consequences for developing a new psyhchiatric hospital and community psychiatry. Psychiatria Danubina, [Online]. Vol 28, Suppl 1, 108-11-. Available at: http://www.hdbp.org/psychiatria_danubina/pdf/dnb_vol28_sup1/dnb_vol28_sup1_108.pdf