The Ministry for Gozo has recently organised the first seminar, ‘Breaking the Silence’ which deals with the mental health field. This was done after the desire shown by mental health professionals working in Gozo, who wanted to raise awareness and provide necessary assistance to relatives of people who suffer from mental health problems. For this purpose a programme was prepared which included several speakers.

During this seminar a branch of the Mental Health Association was launched in Gozo, some two years after it had been previously discontinued. The new support group will provide assistance to persons suffering from problems of mental health and will also give the necessary support to their family.

The stigma and social exclusion associated with mental health problems adds to the ordeal of those who suffer such problems and also their families. Therefore it is necessary to increase public awareness of this problem while strengthening the assistance given to such patients and their families.

In a speech opening the conference, Giovanna Debono, the Minister for Gozo, said that this, the first seminar of its kind in Gozo, is a most important development in the field of mental health in Gozo. The Minister added that it is a sensitive area that requires extensive knowledge and a full understanding of what is being experiened by the persons concerned.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care, Mario Galea, also addressed the conference. He said that despite the different types of problems that exist in mental health, is is also important to focus on the qualities of each person. He referred to the attention given in particular cases mentioned in the media and claimed that there is a need for the members of the judiciary, politicians, clergy members and police to be more informed on issues of mental health. "We need more education, mental illness can be cured if there is an environment which deals with it in just the same manner as other diseases."

The conference ended with a talk by Mrs Kate Gonzi, Honorary President of the Mental Health Association in Malta, she explained how the support provided by members of the family of a person who is suffering from a lack of mental health enables them to understand the situation while remaining unaffected by stigma or public perception. Mrs Gonzi went on to explain the initial work of the Association of Mental Illness in Malta, which was started by a small group of people and soon grew into an association which is providing a valuable contribution in this field, especially through its message of hope and courage. She referred also to initiatives taken by the association, which included the publication of books for children as well as a campaign against the stigma associated with mental illness.

Other speakers included His Excellency the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech who spoke on ‘Depression from a Christian eye,’ while the psychiatrist Anton Grech, gave a speech on the treatment which is available in the field of mental illness. Other guest speakers included a number of foreigners and local people who talked about their own personal experiences.

Permalink: Breaking the Silence, seminar on Mental Health held in Gozo