As Richmond Foundation reaches three decades of championing mental health, the selected theme for this year's conference is "From Stigma to Strength: 30 Years of Mental Health Advocacy." Aligned with its fundamental mission of backing and championing individuals going through mental health challenges, the Foundation embraces a theme that mirrors the essence of its impactful work.
The one-day conference will be held on November 21st at Villa Arrigo, Naxxar, and starts at 8.30am International and Maltese experts will address the conference exploring mental health issues in the sector of education, health, and other workplaces. The experts will explore the impact of mental health on these sectors and discuss strategies to promote mental well-being in each of them. Concentrating on these, the conference aims to raise awareness and provide practical solutions to create mentally healthy environments in schools, healthcare settings, and workplaces.
“This conference, which will be commemorating thirty years of Richmond Foundation’s work with persons facing mental health issues, comes at a time when the country is experiencing a surge in such problems”, said Daniela Calleja Bitar the Acting CEO of the Foundation.
She added that the theme of the conference “From Stigma to Strength” does not only honour 30 years of Mental Health Advocacy by Richmond Foundation but seeks to create an inclusive platform for learning, sharing experiences, and fostering collaboration within the mental health community thus creating hope.
The conference should be of interest to those directly involved in the mental health sector as well as persons working in education, in the management of human resources, family therapy and involved in different types of community work.
Chief Executive Officer Mental Health Services, Dr Stephanie Xuereb will open the conference by delving into the transformative impact of mental health advocacy on the local healthcare landscape over the years. The President of the Global Alliance for Mental Illness Advocacy Networks Europe (GAMIAN-Europe), Mr. Peter Kéri, will address the involvement of patients in the social and healthcare system, as well as the decision-making processes that affect them.
Dr. Erika Galea, Director of the Educational Neuroscience Hub,will be deep diving into strategies for Emotion Regulation that enhance effective teaching, learning, and overall well-being. Mr. Richard Walsh, representing ReThink Mental Health UK, will share insights on mental health advocacy, exploring the spectrum from individual rights to systemic change.
Mr. David Spiteri Gingell, a Management Consultant, will narrate his journey of navigating bipolarity as a story of empathy and resilience at the workplace. Ms. Helen Bennett, from Adferiad Mental Health and Addiction Support Services in Wales, will explore methods for diminishing stigma. She will outline principles for employment with some case studies of individuals with a lived experience who are in significant positions in the organisation.
The conference will also be addressed by Dr. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament and Dr. Denis Vella Baldacchino, Commissioner for Mental Health, Mr. Jesmond Saliba Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, and Ms Daniela Calleja Bitar, Acting Chief Executive Officer Richmond Foundation.
For more information please contact Dorothy Micallef on 21 669150 or email [email protected]
Link for Registration : https://www.richmond.org.mt/2023conference/?fbclid=IwAR2_BvSqLPOcluwErxO5-DmbKE0IrwrYeQNdSAaG2mBjcC4n2hiwQXcqpU