The Commissioner for Mental Health has warned that a new treatment for suicidal behaviour is not yet approved by leading international regulatory agencies.

Speaking to Times of Malta, psychiatrist Mark Xuereb said Crisis Resolution Malta was piloting a new form of treatment, called theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation, which he said can reduce suicidal behaviour by between 53 and 56 per cent within 24 and 72 hours.

But Mental Health Commissioner John Cachia warned that, to his knowledge, TMS is not approved for use in reducing suicidal behaviour by leading international regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States of America, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Evidence-based treatment and care requires thorough scientific analysis of efficacy and safety studies that have been done or still need to be conducted, he said.

"Meanwhile it is incumbent upon local academia, professional organisations and national regulatory authorities to provide leadership, definitive results and direction. Our people deserve this. Published reliable scientific data indicates that TMS is only approved for use in the treatment of refractory depression. This means TMS may be considered for use only in cases of severe depression that has not responded to other forms of standard treatment, such as medication or psychotherapy, or where such forms of treatment may not be suitable."

Cachia said more safety studies are needed to determine long term effects.

"As Commissioner for Mental Health, I once again strongly appeal to the responsible public authorities to urgently implement the National Emergency Psychiatric Response Service, appropriately resourced and functioning in accordance with best practice. Such a service should provide an adequate and timely response to persons and families experiencing a psychiatric emergency within the community, prevent unnecessary psychiatric hospital admissions, and provide follow-up to individuals and their families in their own homes or within their own communities."