I’m going to talk about values. And I’m going to ask whether Joseph Muscat and his Taghna Lkoll gang have any

There, I’ve said it. I’ve got it off my chest. But I think I’m safe from being guilty of casting the first stone. In case you haven’t noticed – though it’s difficult not to – a momentum is gathering among opinion makers and journalists, even those who are not linked to any political party. They are increasingly wondering aloud and expressing concern about the lack of fundamental values being shown by Muscat through his government’s decisions and actions.

More than one stone has been cast in this direction. It includes shots by people who publicly associated themselves with a vote for Labour at the last general election.

Little wonder. The stones to pick up are all around us in the rubble of the institutions being taken apart, sometimes on the sly, slab by slab, and sometimes unashamedly, with a bulldozer.

Safety on the streets? With bus drivers literally taking the wheel in their own hands?

A planning authority? When the only plan seems to be to let cronies do what they like? When the only authority is the vote-swilling prime minister?

Green values? Well, they say the colour of money is green.

Equality? Oh really. Tell that to the immigrants who were almost pushed back until the government ran into force majeure.

Or just tell it to pedestrians and ordinary car-drivers, who see Taghna Lkoll cronies, from the Minister for Justice to the minions, park where they like and jump the ferry queue because they have a hotline to the Police Commissioner.

It’s sometimes my impression that the word itself, ‘values’, has become un-cool. That is probably because it has been associated too much with private life and sexual morality. But values are not just about private life.

They are about decency and respect. They are about selfdignity and caring for the dignity of others. They are the driving force behind dialogue and solidarity. Values are the measure by which we judge ourselves and our friends. They guide our decisions. And they should guide how we judge our governments.

There is a general feeling that we have gone from one extreme to another. From the strict policies which had an air of being “holier than the Pope” to the current “anything goes” attitude which is leading us down the road to chaos.

Mental health

This week Claudio Grech invited me to join him for a visit to the Richmond Foundation, an invitation I accepted gladly. We met the Chairman, Anthony Guillaumier, and the CEO, Antoinette Shah. Although during my days as TV presenter I often discussed mental health issues, and the role played by the Richmond Foundation in this sector, I was glad to hear of new services, projects, ambitions and dreams.

The foundation has expanded its services, which include home support, staff and organisation support programmes, and a ‘Kids in Development’ programme. Naturally, Richmond Foundation continues to be the leading advocacy NGO on mental health issues and wellbeing.

We all have our moments of difficulty, particularly those related to stress and anxiety. For many this is just a short moment which comes and goes. For others, this sinking feeling until the imaginary waterline is just below the lower lip, persists for days and weeks. I encourage anybody going through similar feelings to call Richmond Foundation or just drop in at their premises in Sta Venera.

Those who do not need help can also contribute by fighting the stigma against mental health. We can all make a difference in a person’s life. What may seem to be a trivial issue for some, can lead others to self-harm and even suicide. Let us all show support. Well done to Richmond Foundation, keep up the good work.