Familialistic countries need a family-inclusive service when caring for people with mental health problems – the case of Malta

Abstract

This article starts by setting the context for Maltese families with a member who has mental health problems by providing an overview of the mental health services on offer. It explores the considerable stress that primary caregivers endure and the effects of the person’s mental health problems on their own children. In the study, views were elicited from 81 caregivers accompanying patients attending the psychiatric outpatients clinic in the main state hospital in Malta. The Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire was also used. Findings show that 47% of caregivers felt under pressure, 42% claimed to be depressed and 34% were receiving help from their general practitioner (GP). Only 38% reported receiving any help from mental health services and up to 82% of the children of mental health patients were ignored by the same services. Challenging behaviour and lack of appetite were among the direct effects on children. Current mental health services in Malta are critiqued and ways of setting up a family-inclusive service in a familialistic country such as Malta are put forward.