What is good mental health?

Good mental health is not just the absence of mental health problems. Individuals with good mental health:

· Develop emotionally, creatively, intellectually and spiritually

· Initiate, develop and sustain mutually satisfying personal relationships

· Face problems, resolve them and learn from them

· Are confident and assertive

· Are aware of others and empathise with them

· Use and enjoy solitude

· Play and have fun

· Laugh, both at themselves and at the world

What are mental health problems?

Mental health problems range from the worries and grief we all experience as part of everyday life, to the most bleak, suicidal depression or complete loss of touch with everyday reality.

On average, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem in the course of a year. These problems can cause real and lasting damage, both to the individual and to their relationships. Fortunately, the majority of persons who experience mental health difficulties can get over them or learn to live with them, especially if they can get help early on.

Unfortunately, many people experiencing mental health difficulties do not receive the right kind of help and some do not receive any help at all. In fact, many people with mental health problems are shunned or discriminated against by their families, friends and society at large.

How can mental health problems be prevented?

· Making time to do things we enjoy

· Taking moderate, physical exercise

· Cutting down on coffee, alcohol, nicotine and other addictive substances

· Remembering and celebrating the things we like about ourselves

· Keeping things in perspective

· Developing and sustaining friendships

· Listening to and respecting other people, even if we disagree with them

· Asking for help if we feel distressed or upset

· Listening to other people who are distressed or upset

· Taking as much care of ourselves as we do the people we care for

Richmond Foundation

Richmond Foundation was founded in 1993 and is a non-governmental, non-profit making organisation.

Richmond Foundation provides services aimed at preventing mental illness from developing as well as services for persons already experiencing a mental health difficulty.

Staff and Organisation Support Programme (SOSP): Through this programme the Foundation helps to prevent mental health problems from developing. The SOSP maximises employee and organisational well-being by providing counselling and other support services to those organisations that recognise the importance of their employees’ mental well-being. Employees have the opportunity to make use of a confidential and voluntary counselling service.

Supported Employment Programme: This programme supports persons to find suitable, paid, employment, by providing training and support on the job. This programme is made up of four levels: transition training, job exposure, job placement and support on the job. Clients are offered training in groups as well as individual training.

Home Support Service: Through this service, clients are supported in their own homes, and are assisted in the attainment of skills which help them live a good quality life in the community. The service also provides the clients with emotional support.

Supportive Housing Scheme: Through this scheme, clients who do not have accommodation, are helped to find suitable housing. They are then supported in the management of their homes.

Villa Chelsea: A rehabilitation facility offering day and residential programmes, to persons with mental health problems. Clients have the opportunity to relearn the necessary skills which will enable them to live as independently as possible in the community. Groups are held as part of the programme.

Supported Employment Programme

Joseph suffers from depression and although he was receiving psychiatric help, he could not find a job. With the help of a social worker and with the support of the staff of the Supported Employment Programme, together with Employment and Training Corporation staff, Joseph succeeded in finding a job.

“With the help of the Supported Employment and ETC staff, I found a job which is suitable for me and which I like doing…they did not only help me in finding a job but they still offer me on-going support – I would really like to thank them.”

Claire has a mental health problem and although she has the necessary qualifications, she could not find a job. Most of the employers were afraid to employ her because of her mental health problem. However, as she started to register for work and started to use the service of the Supported Employment Programme, Claire managed to find a part-time job she really likes.

“Today, I work as a receptionist – I really enjoy my work. I have made new friends, and I am earning a wage which means I can be more independent. The best thing about this job is the satisfaction of being good at something I like.”

Supportive Housing Scheme

Mary had been diagnosed with depression. She was also looking for accommodation and therefore, she could benefit from the Supported Housing Scheme. Today, Mary is living in a flat with her flat mates. This is what Mary states about her current situation:

“Since I came to live here, I feel better, the flat is spacious, airy and comfortable. Although we have the service of a home help, I clean the flat regularly.

I like going for walks since the area where I live is beautiful. I like going shopping and I have a chat with my neighbour Angele. Over and above I feel very glad living over here.”

Jason suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and he also uses the service of the Supportive Housing Scheme.

“Although he is still challenged by occasional periods of anxiety, he manages the day-to-day running of the flat, he gets on well with his flat-mates and he is contented with his life.” Supportive Housing Scheme coordinator.

Home Support Service

Liz has a mental health problem. She was hospitalised but today she is able to live independently within the community.

“Thanks to the support and mentoring from my Home Support Worker, I learned to live independently. Today, I can wash my clothes and I can go shopping. Although these things might seem easy for most people, for me they were challenging tasks which now I have succeeded to master.”

Amanda also has a mental health problem and she also had to be admitted to the psychiatric hospital because of her illness. However, today, she is able to live within the community.

“My Home Support Worker has taught me the procedure which needs to be followed when I need to do any transactions at the bank. Moreover, she has also encouraged me to go out with my flat mates. Nowadays, we go out very often – we either go for a coffee or for a walk. Fortunately, people are very welcoming and accepting although it has not always been so.”

Villa Chelsea

Anthony used to be frequently admitted to the psychiatric hospital because of symptoms related to Bipolar Disorder. Today, he is a resident at Villa Chelsea.

“After several months at Villa Chelsea, Anthony can now take care of personal hygiene and can go shopping for food and clothes by himself. He can also take care of his medications and can cook a few dishes.” Project Worker, Villa Chelsea.

Staff and Organisation Support Programme (SOSP)

This preventive programme provides support to employees and their executives of those companies and organisations which buy this service. This is done through informative talks about stress at work and the importance of the work and life balance. Moreover, through this programme, psychotherapy and counselling sessions are also provided.

“It is amazing how many persons approach this service once their company has bought this service. It is a good sign because this service promotes positive mental health at the work place. Therefore, employees could be more efficient and productive.”

SOSP Assistant Co-ordinator.

Self-Help Groups

These groups are being supported by Richmond Foundation and at the present day, there are two self-help groups. One of these groups is for persons with mental health problems and it is run by them. The other group is for family members of people with mental health difficulties and these family members also run this group.

Through these groups, the members receive support as they share their individual experiences of the problem. The experiences shared within this group are treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Ms Rita Formosa, leader of the self-help group for persons suffering from mental health problems, states:

“This sharing of experience means that members of the group feel that they are understood and it also helps the members to accept their condition.”

Another aim of these groups is to increase awareness about mental health in order to minimise the stigma associated with mental health problems. Moreover, another aim of these groups is to educate its members about several issues such as employment opportunities and social services, and practical advices about how to live with the problem in the best possible way.

However, it is very important to state that one should not attend these groups instead of taking the necessary medicine and/or psychological and social support. In fact, one should attend these groups together with receiving the other necessary therapies.

The self-help group for persons suffering from mental health problems meet every first Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be held today.

The self-help group for family members of persons suffering from mental health problems, is led by Mr. Tarcisio Vella and group meetings are held every month.

For more information, you can contact Richmond Foundation on 21482336/ 21224580 or 21440324. E-mail: [email protected] website: www.richmond.org.mt

Volunteers’ programme

One of the reasons why Richmond Foundation is able to provide its services is the fact that ordinary citizens volunteer to help.

Mark has been a volunteer with the Foundation since last year. Mark helps in clerical work and in work with clients. Mark states:

“I have never imagined myself doing voluntary work in the mental health field, and yet, here I am, participating in a very enriching experience…This ongoing experience is helping me explore the true meaning of what every human being needs in order to feel a sense of worth, irrelevant of what his or her condition is; understanding, compassion, support, guidance and hope.”

Tania Farrugia is assistant coordinator at The Richmond Foundation