Parliament approves Mental Health bill

Parliament unanimously approved the Mental Health Bill in the second reading stage on Tuesday, which will see among others the introduction of an independent commissioner for mental health.

Health Minister Joe Cassar said the law will "significantly contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of mental health patients.

Speaking in Parliament, health minister Joe Cassar said the bill has been in the pipeline for years and described it as "a huge leap forward from the previous legislation."

Cassar explained that the commissioner for mental health will safeguard the rights of patients and will take over the responsibilities previously held by the mental health tribunal.

The health minister also explained that the bill tackled the problem of involuntary treatment and the length of stay in mental hospitals. The bill will see a drastic reduction in the period which patients have to undergo involuntary treatment.

Cassar added that the introduction of the law will see the maximum period of involuntary treatment for minors drastically reduced, while banning invasive treatment for children.

He said the new law puts much store on putting clients at its centre with an emphasis of professional accountability.

"With the introduction of the new law, decisions taken about cure programmes will have to be taken together with the patient. The process will involve the client, the carers and the professionals," Cassar said.  

According to the new law, the Commissioner of Mental Health must approve the length of stay of the patient who was involuntarily hospitalised for treatment.

The new law will also change the concept of the trusted friend as adopted so far. In the past, the role of the trusted friend was automatically filled by the next of kin. The new law stipulates that the trusted person will be chosen by the client herself. This may be a family member but also a client's friend.

Over the last four years over €7 million was spent in the field of community mental health services. Currently there are 40 localities in Malta where mental health services are being offered.

In recent months five day centres and six clinics opened the doors to clients with mental health problems, and a crisis intervention team has also been established with the aim of dealing with emergencies in the mental health field.

Three flatlets were also provided, which are being used by a number of persons with mental health problems to assure that they continue to live in the community.

In 2011 alone, 14,000 people used mental health community services.