Most People In Malta Believe Physical Health Is Taken More Seriously Than Mental
Trigger warning: this article features a discussion on suicide
Most people believe that physical health is taken more seriously in Malta than mental well-being, according to a recent survey by Lovin Malta.
In a collaboration with Richmond Foundation, Lovin Malta surveyed 220 people living in Malta about suicide, to raise awareness on the serious subject that is still shrouded in taboo.
The overwhelming majority of respondents (80%) believe that physical health is treated much better than mental health on the islands.
On the other hand, just 11%, which total 26 respondents, thought both aspects of well-being were treated on the same level.
The remaining 6% said they weren’t sure.
Interestingly, not a single participant believed mental health took priority over physical health.
In the survey, women made up the close majority of respondents, totalling 56%. Men made up 42% while 1.4% identified themselves as non-binary.
The most common age was between 26-35 (33%), followed by 36-45 year-olds at 25%. Those 46 upward totalled 30%, while young people between 16 and 25 made up the remaining 10%.
And while this can hardly give an accurate representation of views in Malta, it can echo the state of mental health services on the islands.
Mount Carmel
The island’s mental health hospital has repeatedly come under fire for shocking practices, while doctors have warned that the strategy is far from enough to be called a holistic plan following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malta’s health minister has promised to prioritise reforms, but the effect of this will not be seen from one day to the next.
A study published this year also shed light on how young people are struggling with mental illness.
According to the survey conducted by Harmony Healthcare IT, more than two in five of people aged 18 to 24 in the US were diagnosed with a mental health condition, the biggest mental health issue was anxiety, followed by depression, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, and eating disorders.
Many Maltese Gen Zers have also come out with their struggles with mental health, however, it is still very much a stigma.
”While Maltese society is now more accepting of mental illness, there are issues about how individual persons relate to mental illness among their friends and families,” Charles Pace, the first psychiatric social worker in Malta, discussed in an academic publication – Stigma in Malta: A Mediterranean Perspective.
“The impression is that Maltese tend to avoid talking about, or owning up to the presence of mental health issues in the family.”
Mental health services are imperative to save lives from suicide. While progress has been promised and more people feel comfortable talking about it, we are far from the ideal.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please know you are not alone. Please reach out for help from professionals and loved ones.
Persons who are in crisis can approach the Accident and Emergency department at Mater Dei Hospital or Primary Health Department and seek help from Mental Health Service professionals.
People passing through difficult moments and contemplating Suicide, as well as survivors of these tragic events, can seek help from available services: Suicide Prevention, Outreach and Therapeutic (SPOT) services by appointment on 2122 8333 (Victim Support Malta), Supportline 179 (FSWS) and 1770 (Richmond Foundation).
Anonymous chats such as kellimni.com, Olli chat or Krizi are also an option. One can contact the family doctor or health centre or by speaking to a person of trust.
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