A delegation from Alternattiva Demokratika led by chairman Harry Vassallo met Anthony Gullaimier and Doris Gauci, chairperson and CEO of the Richmond Foundation respectively, at the foundation’s head office in Santa Venera.
The aim was to learn, and see what AD can contribute in the mental health sector, from an organisation which is at the forefront regarding this issue.
The Richmond Foundation offers various services related to mental health including various projects aiming at the rehabilitation of people with mental health difficulties, as well as prevention of mental health problems. These include short-term residential rehabilitation, help with housing, employment and independent living, as well as a preventative programme held at different workplaces to help staff cope with issues such as stress.
AD and Richmond Foundation agreed on the need to continuously promote and safeguard the human rights and the dignity of every human being. These are sometimes lacking when it comes to people with mental health problems. Some still believe that institutionalisation is the only way to confront this issue, when in fact institutionalisation of people should only be the last resort.
Mr Gullaimier said: “We have progressed, but there is still much more to do.” One of the reasons the process of offering more effective services in the mental health area, which is fast becoming one of the greatest health care challenges, takes longer and policy makers need convincing that public money directed to this sector is well spent stems from the fact that the pain and burden of psychological suffering is not as visible as in the case of physical pain evident in other illnesses.
Alternattiva Demokratika believes that mental health problems are a reality most often ignored and is committed to work further with organisations such as Richmond Foundation to improve the social as well as legal situation. AD chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo called for the passing into law of the Mental Health Act as soon as possible; something that has been pending for the past nine years.
Dr Vassallo was accompanied by deputy secretary general Ralph Cassar and executive committee member Robert Callus.