A dedicated community mental health team has been officially launched in Gozo, providing essential support to over 1,400 Gozitans living with mental health conditions. The announcement was made by Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Jo Etienne Abela, during the unveiling of this latest addition to Malta's national mental health strategy.

The new outreach team, based in Gozo's Psychiatric Outpatients Department, consists of four newly appointed nurses and will enable the delivery of treatment and support within the community. This move aligns with the Government's broader objective of shifting mental health care from hospital settings to localised, community-based models.

Minister Abela highlighted that this step forms part of both the Malta 2050 Vision and the mental health strategy spearheaded by the Ministry. "To make this possible, community teams have been set up in various localities in Malta and we now also have a community team based in Gozo," he said.

Putting emphasis on the Government's ongoing investment in healthcare professionals, Minister Abela noted that the new team has been integrated into an outpatient department that already caters for around 1,400 patients. Among them, 23 individuals are currently receiving treatment under a community care order - a system that allows patients to access mental health care while continuing to live within the community.

"Today is an important day because the island of Gozo now has a community team for mental health care. This is a crucial service, and the Government recognised that there was a need for it in Gozo and while we thank the team of professionals for their dedication, we are certain that they will be doing a lot of good for Gozitan patients," concluded Minister Jo Etienne Abela.

Dr. Anton Grech, Clinical Chairman within the Department of Psychiatry, echoed the importance of this development. "Research clearly shows that the more mental health services we have in the community, the more positive effects they have. Today we have taken an important step in that these services are now being offered in Gozo itself," he said.

The government has been gradually expanding mental health services throughout Malta and Gozo, aiming to improve accessibility and outcomes for those seeking treatment. The new team in Gozo represents a significant milestone in decentralising services and ensuring residents receive care in an environment that promotes stability and inclusion.

This latest move is expected to help reduce hospital admissions, promote early intervention, and strengthen the support networks available to individuals managing mental health conditions. It also underscores the Ministry's commitment to addressing regional disparities in health care provision and ensuring that Gozitans benefit from the same level of service as residents in Malta.