In a bid to combat the stigma and misconceptions towards persons who experienced or are experiencing mental health illnesses Mount Carmel Hospital has set up information stalls at various locations in Valletta, Sliema and St Julians.

This formed part of the hospital’s on-going awareness-raising campaign themed Learn More: Stigmatise Less and to mark World Mental Health Day, which fell last Sunday. The event was also held within the framework of the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (EY2010).

The stalls were manned by professionals from the mental health sector, including psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and care workers. They answered questions by the public and handed out flyers with further information on mental health issues.

Mary Rose Meli, the hospital’s public relations officer, said: “Our stands served to get closer to the public and provided information to many people who normally may find difficulty to ask about mental health.”

Research has shown there is an increasing association between poor mental health and poverty. EY2010 aims to raise awareness about poverty and social exclusion, which directly affects one in six Europeans. Twenty-five per cent of the European population is at risk of experiencing mental health problems at any point in their life but, nevertheless, there is still an appalling stigma on mental health problems. Ensuring access to quality healthcare and social services is of utmost importance for the health and well-being of all citizens.

Mount Carmel Hospital is holding a tropical fish show at its premises in Attard, which will remain open till next Sunday.