Just as consultants at the emergency ward at Mater Dei are of utmost importance to patients requiring immediate attention, a crisis intervention team can give prompt help to people suffering from mental health issues. MP Mario Galea shares his views with Therese Bonnici
Victims of mental illness may face situations which call for instantaneous assistance. Over 800,000 people commit suicide worldwide every year – however, it is estimated that there are around 25 attempts to one completed suicide. In 2012, 1,282 patients turned to Mater Dei’s Crisis Intervention team’s help, out of which 169 were admitted to Mount Carmel. The team was set up in 2010, by then parliamentary secretary Mario Galea, and included eight professionals including doctors, psychologists, physiatrists and social workers. The unit offered its services throughout the week, including public holidays. It also offered assistance to relatives of those suffering from mental illness, and conducted follow-ups until the patients are deemed stable, and not at risk.
Downsizing and neglect
It now seems the intervention team has been neglected and downsized, with the eight professionals being replaced by two psychiatric nurses. A psychologist is available three hours a week, only having the time to deal with a maximum of 4 or 5 patients. In parliament on 13 January, Mr Galea criticised the government for not doing enough to tackle the growing reality of mental illness. Information acquired by this newsroom reveals that since the Intervention Team has been uncared for, admissions into Mater Dei have increased by 10%.
During Mr Galea’s time as parliamentary secretary, the government invested in 160 mental health care professionals working across 40 communities, five Day Care Centres for people with mental health problems and six Mental Clinics in community. However, the MP is disappointed to note that the number of professionals working in mental health centres has gone down drastically. “We are continuously hearing about prevention of diabetes, and obesity, but what about mental health? What does it matter that I’m perfectly physically well, if I’m feeling depressed?” the MP questioned. “It makes no sense for individuals dealing with mental health issues to book an appointment at Mater Dei, and having to wait for months before seeing a professional. Such issues need to be dealt with at a community level, in clinics dedicated for such purpose.”
The MP also argued that policemen being sent to sites of suicide attempts is not fitting. “Someone feeling so vulnerable should be assisted by mental health care professionals, not policeman who have not been properly trained to deal with such issues,” he says.” We need to start looking at mental illness as any other illness. You go to a cardiologist if you suffer from heart problems, and in the same way, mental health professionals are specifically trained to deal with such cases.”
Mount Carmel still frowned upon
The former parliamentary secretary is concerned that Mount Carmel is still very much a taboo. “Nobody is excluded from having to be admitted to Mount Carmel at some point in their life, and no one should be ashamed of having to, if this is the case – it is no different than having to be admitted to Mater Dei Hospital. No child should be bullied over it,” he says. “Relationships and careers have been demolished over admission into Mount Carmel, precisely because of the stigma that prevails. Our everyday language use is heavy loaded with stigma – we abusively use words like tal-genn, spissjat, mignun.”
“I’ve had people asking me if it’s safe to hold an exhibition at Mount Carmel. There is the idea that these people are criminals, but it’s nothing of the sort, and research has shown that most criminals have no history of mental illness, despite the media portraying otherwise. Back when I was parliamentary secretary, I took my own children there during a visit, to show them first-hand that these people are no criminals.”
New Mental Health Wing
In 2013, former Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia said the government is planning on building a new mental health hospital close to the new Oncology Hospital. But Mr Galea very much opposes the idea of having a hospital solely dedicated to mental illness. “Isolating such patients only provides for more stereotypes and misconceptions about mental illness. These people should be treated in a specialised ward within a general hospital, so no distinction is made between physical and mental diseases.”
Back in 2010, the Nationalist MP also set up a partnership with the housing authority to help former patients at Mount Carmel who have nowhere to go. “Doctors get patients pleading not to discharge them, simply because they have nowhere to go, and I strived to acquire at least one three-bedroom apartment a year, giving the opportunity for three former patients to live independently and start a life of their own. However, in the past two years, not one single apartment was contributed. What better gift can you give these people, than something to improve their quality of life?” the MP said. “Mental illness has been termed as Cinderella service – because it does not get the funds, or the attention it requires from politicians.”
MP opens up about his own experience - click here
In an interview published on The Malta Independent on Sunday, Mario Galea spoke of his own battle with mental illness. “For years, I felt helpless and hopeless – and nothing did it for me. I’ve had people trying to persuade me to go out when I was at my worst. Other said– “Just go to mass and do away with medication.” I do believe in praying, however one cannot do without professional help in such cases,” the MP said.
Mr Galea decided to speak up about his own experience, with the hope that it will help some seek help. It is estimated that only 13% of those suffering from mental illness seek assistance.