The recent seminar on mental health organised by the Richmond Foundation was very much another eye-opener, if ever one was needed. Alistair Campbell, Tony Blair's former communications advisor, was the main speaker and his words touched me deeply.

Mr Campbell spoke very openly about his personal struggles with mental health and the demons he has had to face along the years. He also recalled how he met Tony Blair and how their early encounter eventually lead to the "I am not bothered" campaign.

Undeniably, the strongest message from the Richmond Foundation event was about how to combat the stigma which surrounds mental health. Campbell says there is only one way to address the issue, and that is to talk about it. He argues that "one in four of us will have a mental illness at some point" and that is not just a lot of people but also a good reason to do something serious about it.

This Richmond Foundation seminar followed the presentation of the Health Literacy Survey presented by the Mental Health Commissioner, Dr John Cachia, a few days earlier. This too shed light on how much we have to work as a society. The results reveal that people are not aware of services related to mental health and have little or no clear idea on what they should do when they need assistance with mental health problems.

Obviously mental health needs more of our attention. To be fair, this is the case internationally, not just in Malta. Mental health is still the Cinderella of many health systems around the world. Many behave as though it is not there and consequently do very little to improve it or work at it.

It's possible to criticise the previous PN government for not doing enough on this matter (can one ever do enough for health?), although not for not doing anything at all. Within that government were members (Joe Cassar and Mario Galea) for whom the subject is close to their heart.

Muscat's government is another matter. It's not clear if this government is doing anything for the mental health sector. What new initiatives of its own are being discussed, planned and implemented?

There is no mention at all of mental health, not even in the privatisation plans. Frankly, this government isn't even showing any interest in changing the stigma against mental health or trying to improve the existing services.
It's important that government has a mental health strategy because the private sector seldom addresses the problem. In countries (such as the UK) where health services have been privatised, mental health often remains in the hands of the government because there is very little or no profit to be made by the private sector. There are, however, strong campaigns to give voice to the many who prefer to remain anonymous due to the stigma.
NGOs in this field, relatives and patients have been talking to me about the realities they are facing today.

A very common concern is that this government has implemented the Mental Health Act without providing the necessary structures to support it. For example, according to the new act, if certain criteria are fulfilled, patients have the right to discharge themselves from Mount Carmel Hospital and pursue their path of care within the community.

However, this government is letting patients take this right without providing adequate facilities and services in the community.

Many health care professionals are showing their concern on this matter. Their representatives have voiced their position but this (listening government) has ignored them so far.
The sad state of the mental health sector under this government is shown by the industrial actions currently underway. There is one at Mount Carmel Hospital (by the social workers) and another at the Crisis Intervention Unit at Mater Dei (by the nurses).

The perilous state of affairs is exacerbated by the fact that the media is not picking up on the seriousness of these situations. If such industrial actions are ignored, we risk reinforcing the wall of stigma which is blocking the visibility of mental health and well-being.

Hands off Fomm ir-Rih Bay

I am currently on a three-week visitors programme in the USA. From a distance, I read that Labour MP Dr Etienne Grech is suggesting we study the possible ways of ensuring easy access to Fomm ir-Rih Bay.

I appeal to Dr Grech to scrap this idea. This bay is beautiful and pristine precisely because it is not easily accessible. I have never had the pleasure of enjoying this beautiful bay myself but I have seen it and find this area magical.

Fomm ir-Rih, Zonqor Point and many other places should remain as they are. Being inaccessible may help their preservation. Please, hands off Fomm Ir-Rih.