Statistically one in four people will endure a mental health problem throughout their lives, however fear not, help is readily available. Living with depression is a lifelong battle, Joseph, 50, said whilst taking a seat in the Richmond Foundation Offices.

He has been suffering from depression for many years, however seems to be on an upward trend. Sitting by his side was Daniela Calleja Bitar, Operations Manager at the Richmond Foundation, who was his first counsellor.

"I suffer from depression and at certain times, it was quite severe", Joseph said. "I was going through a separation and I constantly became worse. I ended up in Mount Carmel. I spent around eight months there and then went to Villa Chelsea. Following that I had home support and bit by bit I improved," he said.

"I began to really suffer from depression when I was around 37 years old. I originally thought it was pressure from work. I used to be self-employed however after my depression got worse I couldn't work anymore. Now another illness has hit.

"Depression runs in my family", he explained whilst looking at Daniela, who knew his story. "There is a hereditary element. I first began receiving treatment privately and then moved to Mount Carmel. During this period I couldn't motivate myself to get out of bed. In fact my mother died during this time. I attended the funeral, according to my brother, however I cannot remember actually being there. I didn't know what was going on whilst I was in the hospital, I was in such a deep depression".

"My family wasn't very shocked because of my depression as my mother also suffered from it", he said. "We were two with the same problem from the same family, so my siblings had already been through it. I had a lot of family support though, especially when I was at Villa Chelsea".

"I live on my own now, with help from home support. I meet a social worker regularly to discuss any problems I have. I'm quite up and down nowadays, but nowhere near how I was before. I have a lot of friends to support me, my friends know what I've been through".

"The Richmond Foundation always backed and helped me along the years". Daniela was his first care worker, he said. "I've been a part of individual and group consultation sessions," he explained.

"Looking back, there are times when I think ok, I'm 100% cured, but then there are times you begin to think you're regressing. I need to continue fighting throughout my life, or at least that's what I think".

Joseph gave some advice to those in the early stages of depression. "When you start to realise something is wrong, the important thing is to accept it and look for help. This will be the start of a journey. The process could be slow, yes, but I began to improve after I sought help. I personally had something working against me. I never accepted my separation. This worked against me as I couldn't accept the situation".

"Having a number of siblings, they used to come visit me in the hospital regularly. When I went to Villa Chelsea, which has an open door policy, this decreased, as I was able to leave the home and return quite freely".

Regarding people with depression, he said that a large number of people would say "no I'm fine, I don't have anything". They wouldn't accept it. "Once you accept it, can you receive help and live a close to normal life".

(Daniela Calleja Bitar)

Social stigma a grave problem in Malta

The social stigma when it comes to seeking help for mental health problems is a problem in Malta, a problem society needs to see changed.

"In order to break this social stigma, education is needed. Thirty years ago, cancer used to be referred to as the big C. People can't be afraid to talk about it. I've been in the field long enough to see that if one person speaks up, then others will," Daniela explained.

When it comes to mental problems, there's no straightforward care plan, she said. "Speaking about depression, for example, there would be someone who wouldn't get out of bed to work but would to help their children. Another person would be different. The best way to deal with mental health problems include a combination of therapy and when needed medication. People shouldn't be afraid to say that they need medication. People with diabetes need medication, people with mental problems sometimes, also need medication and in a number of cases would not need to take them permanently".

"Like most jobs, working as a mental healthcare professional can take its toll. When I first started, I used to take my work home with me. I'm not talking about papers and files, but I used to think of the people and their problems all the time. Nowadays, I'm not going to lie, I still think about it and these people resonate with your life so it does affect me. But people who work in this profession learn to take care of ourselves more and how to cut off from work. I guess you would find that in every medical field. We are trained here. We are offered counselling," Daniela added.

Today is World Mental Health day, a day aimed atraising awareness and breaking social stigma, she explained. "People with chronic illness like schizophrenia could live a relatively normal life through treatment. One in four people will experience a mental health problem, which is a huge percentage that is growing. We believe that people can have good and bad mental health days. Mental health problems in Malta tend to follow the same trend as those abroad; however the social stigma towards the idea of mental healthcare is quite a problem given that Malta is a small island".

The Foundation

The Richmond Foundationwas founded on 13 May, 1993. It is a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation.

The foundation believes in helping the client with people they want involved in their life. "For example with family members, social workers, psychologists etc. We offer a range of services, going from dependent living to independent living. We offer supported housing for persons who have completed a rehabilitation programme and can live outside in the community. We teach them everyday living skills, such as how to budget their money," Daniela explained.

"We also have Villa Chelsea that focuses on rehabilitation where we teach the people to live independently through a one year programme. Lastly, we have a Kids facility where we help children with extremely challenging behaviour between the ages of 5 and 9. Most of whom have been taken from their families through a care order," she added.

World Mental Health Day is celebrated each year on 10 October, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues.

Anyone can call Richmond Foundation on 21482336, 21440324, 21224580, 21480045, 21491392 for help and guidance.

*Names have been changed to protect the patient's identity