The Nationalist party expressed concern with regards to mental health services in a press release issued today by shadow minister for health Claudette Buttigieg.

Dr Buttigieg gave special mention to concerns with the services offered at Mount Carmel Hospital. She said that concerns have continued to increase in recent days due to the news that the report issued by the Commissioner for Mental Health last March was not tabled in parliament by the government within the legally required stipulated time frame. Mrs Buttigieg said that the report was only tabled in parliament on Wednesday 7 October following the release of the news by various sections of the media. She continued by saying that this is “very serious,” especially since the law stipulates that the report issued by the Commissioner of Mental Health should be tabled and discussed before the relevant parliamentary committee within two months of its receipt. She said that six months have passed since the report was issued, and that the government has tabled it in parliament however no discussions have taken place so far.  

Dr Buttigieg explained that the report sheds light on the current situation of Malta’s mental health services, and that it provides insight on the major shortcomings in the system through the patients’ perspectives.

She said that recent developments where it was alleged that a young patient was being abused while under the care of the staff at Mount Carmel warrants better respect of the aforementioned law. She highlighted the need for respecting the basic rights and dignity of patients with mental health problems.

Dr Buttigieg said that today there are around 80 patients residing at Mount Carmel, and that these people are in need of community services, however due to the fact that these services are nonexistent these patients are being kept shut inside the hospital and are unable to reintegrate themselves within society.

She gave special mention to the patients who are staying in the Young People’s Units, and cited the unit as an example of how the government “laughing at the patients and their families.” She said that there has been a  “cosmetic” change without substance in the unit, and that children and young people are looking elsewhere for helpful mental health services. Mrs Buttigieg said that the report issued by the Commissioner for Mental Health focuses on matters such as these, which is essential in bringing about meaningful change.

She also said that in Malta there is a failure to address preventative measures in mental health services, especially with regard to suicide, depression and other mental health conditions that are prevalent in our society.  

Dr Buttigieg said that the negative stigma attatched to patients suffering from mental health needs to be addressed so that patients can seek the best possible treatment in order to combat such illnesses. She said that in order to provide the best possible services work must be spread between all ministries, and involve all departments especially education, employment, housing, social services, justice and the environment.

She concluded by saying that the PN urges the government to call for a discussion on the report in front of the relevant parliamentary committee, and also urges that a ‘Strategy for Mental Health’ be published.