“On Thursday 15^th May 2025, the Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela and Local Government Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli announced a new initiative aimed at improving community support for people facing mental health challenges.

Described as a form of mental health first aid, the Richmond Foundation course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge to recognise signs of mental illness such as anxiety and depression and provide basic support until professional help becomes available.

The course aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental illness, which is often a barrier to people seeking help. Participants will be taught to identify the early signs of mental distress and how to provide appropriate support to those affected.”

(Times of Malta 15 May 2025)

MCAST, with a population of over 7,000 full-time students is a microcosm of the Maltese society.  According to a study carried out at MCAST among 16- to 18-year-old students, 64.4% following level 1 to 3 courses were found to be struggling with at least one of the following: depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders and health related quality of life (Abela C, 2022).

In higher vocational education, students face a unique blend of academic, personal, and career-related challenges, as they navigate course work, internships, job preparation and sometimes even financial issues and/or family responsibilities

There are a variety of mental health risk factors associated with vocational college students. They may experience mild to severe depression, anxiety and stress levels. Therefore, the importance of taking the necessary proactive steps to identify, address, and nurture college students’ mental well-being to mitigate the negative impacts.

In addition, different psychological intervention methods are practiced by professionals according to the different psychological issues.  These interventions aim to tackle the psychological challenges presented by college students in a timely manner.

Students with milder or more transient difficulties need to be encouraged to reach out.  Let’s avoid normalizing and labelling all negative feelings with psychiatric terminology. The psychiatrist Derek Summerfield wrote ‘To conflate normality and pathology devalues the currency of illness”.

Reaching out is imperative as one need not experience distress in isolation.  Additionally, early intervention is key to preventing more serious issues.  Talking it out does not necessarily mean that there is something that needs to be fixed.

Self-diagnosing can be tempting, especially with the wealth of information available online, but it is important to recognize that it can backfire.   Mental health issues are complex, making it difficult to assess one’s own mental health.  Self-diagnosis often leads to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and unnecessary anxiety.  It can also delay seeking professional help, which is essential.  Relying on professional advice ensures that individuals receive the support and care they need.  Professional support, rather than self-diagnosing, fosters an effective and compassionate approach to mental health.

A Holistic Approach to Student Support

Mental health is something positive which we should all cherish.  It is mental health difficulties or challenges that require attention and is not just about crises intervention; it’s about creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to seek help when they need it. MCAST takes a proactive and inclusive approach by offering a range of services tailored to student needs.

All services at the MCAST Wellbeing Hub are delivered with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism. Students are encouraged to seek help without fear of stigma or judgment. Our goal is to create a supportive space where every student feels respected and valued.  The services include:

• Therapy Sessions
• Addiction Related Issues
• Educational Psychology
• Nutritional Advice
• Psychiatric Services
• Sexual Health Services
• Tobacco Cessation Support

 

Your well-being matters. And we’re with you every step of the way.