After Promising Miracle ‘Three Minute’ Cure For Depression, Religious Sect In Malta Says It Might Have Exaggerated A Bit
A religious sect that is operating in Malta and promised to cure your depression within minutes has backtracked on its claims after coming under public fire and being investigated by Maltese authorities.
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, an Evangelical church founded in Rio de Janeiro in 1977 by bishop Edir Macedo, has garnered a controversial reputation through its questionable tactics to attract and retain new members.
Having expanded to Malta, many people found fliers attached to their cars last week promising a quick cure for depression.
The Malta branch of Universal Church of the Kingdom of God has since uploaded a newly re-worded flier
It had originally stated the following: “Be free from depression in three minutes. Without medicine, without hospitalisation and free of charge. There is a cure for depression! Try it!”
But a newly uploaded flier now states:
“What if your new life could start in three minutes? You too could be fulfilled! Try it!
Many people were not impressed with the big promise
One person said: “It is totally a scam, and a predatory way of getting to who may be going through a vulnerable time in their life! It is such an abhorrent claim to make.”
Others, such as Jeremy Camilleri, a secretary for the General Workers’ Union, reported the poster to the Maltese authorities.
“I have just written to the Commissioner of Mental Health and to the Superintendence of Public Health to inform them of the worrying poster that in my opinion is seeking to take advantage of people with mental health problems, and promising a miracle cure for depression,” he said in a post.
“As easy as it is to stand by and do nothing, I must stress that this is not a problem solely concerning people suffering from mental health problems, but a problem for all of us. We must all speak out to stop the exploitation of vulnerable people,” he said.
However, psychiatrist Dr Mark Xuereb, the head of Crisis Resolution Malta, said people shouldn’t be too harsh on UCKG
“This poster is in fact a religious poster and a pastor that I know does a lot of good is involved. Their administrator told me that the declaration that you can be free from depression in three minutes may have been a bit too ‘much’ and that they could change the terminology,” he said in comments to iNews.
He said there was space for all types of initiatives that wanted to help.
“This poster could have been worded better. But we shouldn’t discredit initiatives that want to help, but we need to be coordinated. At the end of the day, what do we want? To have a society that is happier and more content and I appeal to everyone to come together with these initiatives even if they are spirituality-based, to help people,” he said.
Pictured above: Dr Mark Xuereb
The Maltese Commissioner for Mental Health has since issued a statement on the posters
“Depression cannot be cured in a few minutes,” said John Cachia.
“Depression exists and is a real medical condition. Unfortunately, there are no objective ways of measuring the condition eg through a blood test or other measures,” he continued.
“Whilst some information may be helpful to take action, one must be aware that not all that is in adverts or on social media is true or scientifically valid”
“The Office of the Commissioner for Mental Health has received various queries on posts on social media /adverts which appeared in the past days. After relevant investigation, it is being recommended that one is to access advice and services from entities which are duly registered and recognised to give care and services in the area of mental health,” he said.
“Help should also be sought from professionals who are licensed and regulated by law to offer such services. Services from entities or individuals who may not be licensed or regulated at law to offer such services, may cause more harm than benefit to vulnerable individuals especially if such services are presented as a ‘free quick fix’,” he said.
What do you think of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God’s claims?
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