Online mental health service kellimni.com had 725 people visit its website in February to speak about mental health issues.

Claudia Taylor-East, chief executive officer of SOS Malta, said that this was an increase of 130 people when compared to February 2017 - an increase of almost 20 pe cent. 

Speaking to the Times of Malta, she said that people were becoming more aware of the website and that many preferred to talk about their problems online, where they are guaranteed confidentiality.

Kellimni.com is an online service through which people can learn about mental health issues and seek advice through live chat or email services. It is a joint effort between SOS Malta, the Salesians of Don Bosco, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and Aġenzija Appoġġ, under the guidance of Child Helpline International.

Ms Taylor-East was speaking during the launch of the #StopStigma campaign, in collaboration with the Valletta local council, the Office of the Commissioner for Mental Health and the University of Malta’s Department of Mental Health.

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Academic Alexei Sammut said that mental health trends are on the rise. It is estimated that by 2020, 50 per cent of the population worldwide would have experienced mental health illness, he added.

He also said that there are higher trends of youth who experience problems with anxiety, drugs and gaming.

“We have to increase mental health literacy,” he said, adding that the campaign will try to tackle the issue from a societal, individual and national level.

The educational campaign will see the Valletta local council providing rooms for support groups. It will also distribute information on access to mental health services.

A #StopStigma campaign will see Valletta local council host support group rooms, among other things. Photo: Denise Grech