An Alternattiva Demokratika delegation, led by Chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo, met Mr Anthony Gullaimier and Ms Doris Gauci, Chairperson and CEO of the Richmond Foundation respectively, at the the foundation’s head office in Santa Venera. The aim was to learn from an organisation which is at the forefront of the mental health sector, and to see what AD can contribute.

The Richmond Foundation offers various services related to mental health including various projects aiming at the rehabilitation of people with mental health difficulties, as well as prevention of mental health problems. These include short term residential rehabilitation, help with housing, employment and independent living, as well as a preventative programme held at different workplaces to help staff cope with issues such as stress.

AD and the Richmond Foundation agreed on the need to continously promote and safeguard the human rights and the dignity of every human being. These are sometimes lacking when it comes to people with mental health problems. Some still believe that institutionalisation is the only way to confront this issue, when in fact institutionalisation of people should only be the last resort.

As Mr Gullaimier himself stated “we have progressed, but there is still much more to do.” One of the reasons the process of offering more effective services in the mental health area, which is fast becoming one of the greatest health care challenges, takes longer and policy makers need convincing that public money directed to this sector is well spent stems from the fact that the pain and burden of psychogical suffering is not as visible as in the case of physical pain evident in other illnesses.

Alternattiva Demokratika believes that mental health problems is a reality most often ignored and is committed to work further with organisations such as the Richmond Foundation to improve the social as well as legal situation. AD Chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo called for the passing into law of the Mental Health Act as soon as possible; something that has been pending for the past nine years.

Dr Vassallo was accompanied by Deputy Secretary General Ralph Cassar and Executive Committee member Robert Callus.