Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne has announced that a board of directors will be set up within the Mental Health Services.

A legal notice will soon be issued to kickstart the process. The board will advise the Ministry to develop a holistic strategy for mental health in Malta and Gozo.

Dr Fearne was speaking during a press conference given by the Richmond Foundation, where it announced that it had launched the Mental Health First Aid Programme.

He said that the government wanted to dispel the "Cinderella" aura which surrounds the sector, saying that the country needed a long term strategy to complement legislation.

Dr Fearne said: "Things in the mental health sector have improved since the Mental Health Act came into effect. Every person that enters Mount Carmel must be reviewed by a specialist within 24 hours."

He continued: "A residence for youths and children needing psychiatric care has also been opened. Another project saw a hostel to help people readjust to life outside of treatment is also in motion."