Mental Health Association (Malta)

The Mental Health Association (Malta)

The Mental Health Association (MHA) is a registered non-profit voluntary organisation (V.O/0317) that was set up in 1982 by relatives of persons with mental health problems together with professionals working in the field of mental health who felt the need to support and empower the family care-givers.

Objectives

• to educate the relatives of the mentally ill and the general public on mental illness to counteract ignorance and misinformation
• to support family carers in their needs
• to tackle the existing stigma associated with mental illness and facilitate the integration of service users into society
• to advocate for the improvement of health and social care of people with mental illness and promote the interests of family members.

This association recognises the crucial role relatives have in the care of mentally-ill patients and believes in working with them to improve their quality of life and that of their loved ones. Thus we seek to inform and train family members in all aspects of mental health including problem solving skills, recognising signs and symptoms of mental illness, communication skills with the patient and the professional carer and the importance of taking care of themselves. These educational services are offered by the association in the form of:

• Annual Courses
• Conferences on Mental Health
• Educational discussions aired on the media and participatory sessions in schools and places of work.
• Publishing books on mental health
• Screening of films related to mental health issues.
• The association also offers community support services to families. This service is given in collaboration with the St Jeanne Antide Foundation an affiliate member.

The Association embarks on several initiatives to combat the stigma faced by the mentally-ill and their carers. It also engages in discussions with various stakeholders including policy makers to identify the unmet needs in the sector and promotes its recommendations eg:

• that family care givers are recognized as "partners in care"
• Respite care services are increased and be easily accessible even to the severe mentally ill
• Community services are adequately staffed and financed
• A system of Quality Assurance on services provided in this sector be introduced.
• Mental Health Association is a member of: EUFAMI (European Federation for Families of the Mentally Ill) and its vice –president is a Board member. FRA (Agency for fundamental Rights) MHN (Malta Health Network)

Affilated with us St Joanne Antide Foundation

One may become a life-time member by paying a membership fee of € 10.

For further information either

• send an email to assistance@mhamalta.com or
• phone on 7980008
  

Mental Health Association – Malta

c/o "Chamonix" 88,
Brighella Street,
B'Kara BKR 1868

Website: www.mhamalta.com