October invites us to speak openly about mental health.
World Mental Health Day, marked on 10 October, reminds us to challenge stigma, listen and recognise when someone needs support.

Yet I often think about the struggles that rarely make headlines.

A parent rushing from work to a child's appointment.
Someone caring for an ageing relative while raising a family.
A person living alone without an immediate support network.
Or someone with a disability encountering barriers others barely notice.

Their circumstances differ, but their mental wellbeing is connected to the lives they lead. This shows that mental wellbeing cannot be separated from the conditions in which people live, work, care for others, and participate in society. For me, this is where public policy must begin: with an understanding of the people those measures are intended to serve.

Two distinct principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) are particularly meaningful here. The first is respect for inherent dignity and individual autonomy, including the freedom to make one's own choices. The second is full and effective participation and inclusion in society.

As a Government Member of Parliament, I believe our responsibility is to translate both into practical support.

Parliament's approval of the Personal Autonomy legislation was an important step towards supported decision-making, recognising that people who need assistance should have their wishes and choices respected.

Needing support should never mean losing your voice.

That conviction also shapes my parliamentary questions on mental healthcare.

Between December 2021 and September 2026, Malta's Crisis Resolution Home Treatment service received 1,734 referrals. In 1,600 cases, or 92.3%, admission to Mount Carmel Hospital was not required. In 2025 alone, 309 of 343 cases did not require admission.

Behind these figures are people experiencing difficult moments and what specialised care outside hospital shows is that crisis support at home can play a pivotal role in helping them stay connected to their everyday lives while receiving the support they need.

The free, round-the-clock mental health helpline, 1579, provides another route to assistance. Sometimes, knowing someone is available to listen is the first step towards seeking help.

Access to appropriate medication is another essential part of care. A parliamentary reply confirmed that investment exceeding €5 million over the previous two years in psychiatric medicines added to the Government Formulary benefited approximately 6,000 patients. This represents a tangible commitment by our Government to strengthening mental healthcare.

But how and where people receive care matters just as much. I have therefore also asked parliamentary questions about referrals, appointments and active cases in community mental health services.

Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) recognises the right to live independently and be included in the community. Our Government's commitment to community-based care must translate into timely, accessible services that respect people's needs and choices, particularly those of children and adolescents.

My parliamentary questions revealed that, between 2020 and 2025, Malta's child and adolescent services recorded 2,909 new referrals. Of these, 2,326 accounting to almost four in five, concerned assessments relating to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

These were referrals for assessment, not confirmed diagnoses. That distinction matters.

Behind each referral may be a family seeking answers, navigating appointments and trying to understand how best to support their child. Yet children and young people must never be seen simply as cases to be managed. Their preferences, aspirations and voices matter.

This is the spirit of "Nothing about us without us."

Respecting young people's voices also means taking their digital lives seriously. Australia introduced restrictions in December 2025 preventing under-16s from holding accounts on designated social media platforms, even with parental consent. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, have been considering stronger protections.

In Malta, our Government initiated a public consultation on children's use of social media, led by Minister Michael Falzon. Age restrictions deserve serious consideration, alongside their impact on young people, particularly those with disabilities who find friendship and belonging online. Any approach must balance protection with digital literacy, parental guidance and platform accountability.

Protecting children and empowering them should go hand in hand.

Ultimately, mental wellbeing is shaped not only by the care people receive, but also by the demands of their everyday lives.

Work-life balance is not simply about leisure time. It is about making everyday life manageable.

A parent may need flexibility to attend a child's therapy appointments. An employee with a disability may require reasonable accommodation. Someone caring for an elderly relative may need an employer's understanding.

Article 27 of the UNCRPD recognises the right to inclusive employment, while European work-life balance legislation acknowledges caring responsibilities. The Social Enterprise Amendment Bill before Parliament also reflects the importance of widening opportunities for people facing barriers to work.

These are not marginal concerns. They are part of the reality of working and family life, and public policy must take them seriously. A person's responsibilities outside work should not automatically become a disadvantage in their working life.

At the heart of these measures is a simple recognition: we should not overlook people's personal circumstances when we shape their working lives.

That recognition is particularly meaningful during October, which is also Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. It reminds us of another deeply personal experience that often remains unspoken.

Following consultations in 2025, our Government introduced seven working days of paid miscarriage leave from January 2026, covering both prospective parents. The discussions also highlighted a gap in protection following stillbirth from 22 weeks of pregnancy, which Parliament addressed by extending maternity leave provisions.

For me, this shows how listening to lived experiences can turn consultation into meaningful legislative change.

No law can erase the pain of pregnancy loss, but it can recognise that grief deserves compassion, privacy and time.

Whether we are discussing mental healthcare, disability rights, children's online safety, employment or pregnancy loss, the underlying question remains the same: are we recognising the person behind the circumstances?

As we reflect this October, we should acknowledge the progress achieved through Government investment and legislative reform, while recognising that listening and responding to people's changing needs must remain an ongoing responsibility.

Because behind every statistic is a person with a life beyond a diagnosis, disability or circumstance.

A society that truly values mental health does more than provide treatment. It respects people's choices, understands their responsibilities, and allows everyone to belong, contribute, and live with dignity.

Romilda Zarb is a Labour MP