Nobody should have to struggle alone

On World Mental Health Day, Momentum calls for a Malta that puts people’s mental health, dignity and quality of life at the heart of its priorities.

Mental health struggles affect people of all ages and backgrounds. They can affect children facing difficulties at home, teenagers overwhelmed by the transition to adulthood, and young men and women struggling to find their place in society. They can affect young parents struggling to make ends meet, people battling alcohol or drug dependency, and older people experiencing loneliness and isolation.

The worst result of mental health is suicide. While suicide has many complex causes, we must recognise the pressures that can make life increasingly difficult, including financial insecurity, unaffordable housing, family problems and the relentless pace of modern life. We must create a society where people can speak openly about their struggles without fear of judgement and where seeking help is met with compassion.

Dr Matthew Agius, spokesperson for Momentum, said, “Mental health is not only about medical services. It is also about the way we live, the communities we build, and the environment around us. We should measure progress not only through economic growth, but also by whether people can live with dignity, spend meaningful time with loved ones, enjoy a healthy balance between work and life, and enjoy nature.”

With the upcoming national budget, Momentum urges the government to make mental health a genuine priority by also addressing the wider pressures affecting wellbeing, including the cost of housing and basic necessities.

Dr Agius added that “A better Malta is one where nobody is forgotten, where compassion replaces judgement, and where everyone has the opportunity not merely to survive, but to live well.”

Momentum reminds people struggling with mental health that they can reach out for help:

1579 – National Mental Health Helpline:

Free emotional support, available 24/7.

179 – Supportline: Free support for emotional difficulties, family problems and other challenging circumstances, available 24/7.

112 – Emergency services: Call in an immediate emergency.

There is hope, you can help!

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