A new mental health helpline manned by professionals on a 24/7 basis will be launched by the end of October, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced.

“Every suicide is a tragedy and we must do our utmost to prevent them,” Fearne told Parliament last night.

“People with anxiety, depression or in a state of desperation will be able to call this helpline whenever they want and, if needs be, we’ll tell them to stay on the line until someone comes to help them. Software verification is ongoing and more details, including the number, will be announced by the end of the month.”

If launched, it will be Malta’s second 24/7 mental health helpline – along with the Richmond Foundation’s 1770 line.

Fearne added he is pleased by the work carried out by a new crisis resolution home team that was launched late last year to help treat people with mental health problems in the comfort of their own homes, rather than at Mount Carmel.

He said 240 people have made use of this service since the start of January.