An open day will be held at Mount Carmel Hospital today to mark Mental Health Day.

A Mass at 9 a.m. will be dedicated to a future where attention to mental health is free from stigma and discrimination and where everybody can receive the services they need.

During the day, there will also be shelter and museum tours and entertainment for the public visiting the hospital.

Tomorrow, officially Mental Health Day, several professionals from various fields of the mental health sector will be at University of Malta, giving talks, distributing informational material and meeting with the students to raise awareness about mental health issues and mental well-being.

Malta is working towards a new Mental Health Act to be implemented by 2012, replacing the current legislation enacted in 1976. The current law is mostly oriented towards professionals since it is the psychiatrist that decides on treatment and length of stay in hospital for involuntary patients.

The new law is intended to put the patient at the centre while providing him with care and rights.

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