Living with a mental health problem can be confusing and frightening. It is a complex reality which impacts on various aspects of a person's life, as well as the lives of their family, colleagues and friends. Experiencing mental ill health may leave a person feeling helpless, frustrated, tired and hopeless.

Just like any form of physical health issue, mental ill health needs to be addressed and treated. As a health science, however, mental health developed considerably later than other areas and still remains very abstract. Until the very recent past, mental disorders were internationally regarded as an enigma and developing a mental illness was as good as acquiring a life sentence in a mental institution. 

Malta was no different to the rest of the world, which is why the Richmond Foundation was established 25 years ago: to restore some hope into this bleak reality by providing support in the community for those experiencing mental health problems.

Back then, the Birkirkara community was up in arms when Villa Chelsea, the dilapidated former residence of the Train Master, was assigned to be used as a residential rehabilitation programme for people with mental health disorders. 

The public's reaction painted a clear picture of an uninformed society led by fear and misconception. The true social context of mental illness in Malta had been revealed. There was a need to be met, an illness to be healed, a wrong to be righted and the Richmond Foundation set about doing what needed to be done and endeavouring to always do it better.

Every person's experience of mental illness is unique, not only because every person is unique but also on account of the individual's circumstances. The person's understanding of their mental health problem and the availability - or lack - of a support network are among the main determinants.

As they grow to understand their illness better, people recognise what support they need in order to have a good quality of life.  As an individual, each person deserves to be respected for who they are and provided with the services required to meet their individual needs.

Richmond Foundation's mission is to disseminate such respect by placing the individual at the heart of mental health services, bringing mental health issues out into the community and empowering individuals experiencing mental illness to reintegrate into society by lobbying for the transformation of the national mental health service and for placing mental health at the top of the public agenda.

To this day, Villa Chelsea remains Richmond Foundation's flagship service, with the neighbours warmly supporting and assisting those who use its services. Over a quarter-of-a-century, the Foundation brought about a silent transformation, not only in the Birkirkara community but also through high-quality, personalised care services. Today, Richmond serves as a benchmark for good quality mental health care in the community that seeks to address the needs of each person as these evolve over time.  But we most certainly cannot rest on our laurels, as there is still much to be done.  On the threshold of its next 25 years, Richmond is set to break its own barriers and to retain its relevance in Maltese society as new needs are identified.

Branding a new corporate image, Richmond is venturing out in full force to continue raising awareness for better understanding of mental health and the symptoms of mental problems and to empower those experiencing mental health issues to seek help.  Richmond's new logo strongly reflects the personal care with which Richmond accompanies those experiencing mental illness to move from the initial confusion through to a good quality of life.  It also mirrors Richmond's efforts in favour of the streamlining of mental health services in Malta.

Richmond's enduring relevance is dependent on the extent to which it remains in tune with the ever-changing needs of the people it serves. This recognition is integrated in the organisation's efforts to make its services more attractive to young people, for whom mental health services are conspicuously absent.

The transformation that Richmond has brought about through Villa Chelsea represents a much wider reform for which Richmond will continue to work at all levels of Maltese society: in homes, schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods, communities, towns and villages, and at a political level. As it strives to contribute towards the evolution of the Maltese mental health sector, Richmond embraces ever more closely the experiences of the services users who remain the sole purpose for its existence. It is only in this way that Richmond can continue to help so many people find their own way forward.

Stephania Dimech Sant is the Chief Executive of the Richmond Foundation