Malta’s mental health helpline has answered over 7,000 calls since it was made available to the public this time last year.

The Mental Health Services Helpline 1579 was launched in November 2022 and since then, staff members have answered over 7,000 calls offering confidential support to people who were struggling and facilitating access to mental health services and resources on the island, the Health Ministry told Lovin Malta. 

When asked about the new psychiatric hospital promised in the 2022 budget speech, the ministry stated that the design phase is “well underway with all of the requirements outlined and the necessary permits currently being processed”.

A site in Swatar, across the Birkirkara bypass from Mater Dei Hospital, has been earmarked for this development.

A capital expenditure of €3.6 million was further allocated to the Mental Health Services in the 2024 budget as part of a sustained annual investment. This, the ministry said, contributes to the “comprehensive refurbishment efforts” at Mount Carmel, where three wards are currently undergoing “major refurbishments”.

However, major local youth organisations have criticised the budget for not having a concrete plan regarding the building of dedicated new facilities for mental health.

Additionally, significant investment in the training of health professional staff working within MHS has taken place, including specific training in suicide risk assessment, advanced de-escalation techniques, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

The health authorities are further transitioning the focus of care from inpatient facilities to community-based care, both for clinical outpatient services as well as different models of sheltered accommodation and residential care.

Moreover, the helpline, as well as the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment, is one of a few new services that have been developed to ensure a “whole continuous chain of services”.

Featured image on the right: site plans tabled in Parliament of the location of the psychiatric hospital.

Do you think that the Health Ministry is doing enough to combat mental health struggles on the islands?