Malta compares well with EU on mental health

Malta compares favourably with other European Union member states in the field of mental health well-being, Health Minister Louis Deguara said.

"Malta was one of the foremost countries that formulated a National Mental Health Policy, which is often referred to by other countries in the drafting of their national or regional mental health policies," he said.

Speaking during a conference by the Richmond Foundation, Dr Deguara said the reforms being implemented in the health sector, including the mental sector, were models of good management practices that facilitate the viability of the health sector and promote personalised quality services.

"The reforms in the mental health sector are aimed at empowering our clients to live an independent and productive life within society.

The reform in our psychiatric hospitals has curtailed areas of resource wastage - with such resources shifted to the community sector," he said.

The conference, which started on Friday and concluded yesterday, was the culmination of a year's work by four partners from Malta, Italy and Lithuania. A report which was carried out by the local entity was presented during the conference.

In his closing address the minister said neuro-psychiatric disorders are the second greatest burden of disease in Europe, following cardiovascular disease.

"The burden of these disorders is even more evident when years lived with disability are considered - they account for over 40 per cent of chronic disease," he said.

Dr Deguara stated that depression was the single greatest cause, and in many countries between 35 and 45 per cent of absenteeism from work is due to mental health problems.

The minister said an immense gap exists between the services available and the need for treatment.

Quoting a 2003 EU survey, he said 90 per cent of people reported having mental health problems had received no care or treatment in the previous 12 months.

"Only 2.5 per cent of them had seen a psychiatrist or psychologist. Between 40 and 70 per cent of patients with mental health disorders do not receive treatment in countries with well-organised health care systems, including the United States," he said.