Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh – Green Youth has said that it believes that more emphasis should be put on research and after-care programs to empower the mentally ill through well-thought out rehabilitation services.

Richmond Foundation already offers various services related to mental health including rehabilitation projects, which aim to promote a healthy personality development. Compelling literature shows that institutionalization is not the best way to treat the mentally ill, and any notable policy should recognize this fact. ADZ expects the government to take a person-centered approach, which encourages research in this area.

The basic challenge is to promote comparative research with a cross-national perspective. Comparisons may include those relating to the frequency, aetiology, care and treatment of mental disorders. ADZ stresses that research which focuses on different cultural contexts will prove to be more valid and reliable. Such research will increase its policy relevance.

Mental health problems are not as uncommon as people may think. ADZ PRO Joseph Caruana said that in order to understand a person’s behaviour, it is necessary to look at how people themselves see their situation. Taking someone’s own perceptions into account is essential to the understanding of that individual’s personality.

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