The Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health and the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society have recently launched a mental health mobile phone appliance for young people in Malta. SafeSpace/GħallKenn is an open access, free digital tool for young people 18 years+ in English and Maltese and may be uploaded either on App store or Play store. It has been adapted from BlueIce (NHS Oxford Health). Users of SafeSpace/GħallKenn will be able to:
- Monitor their thoughts and moods (mood diary)
- Learn how regulate their feelings to reduce distress and uplift mood through simple techniques (personalised toolbox); and
- Become more aware of the local support services available for young people in difficulty and seek help when in distress such as emergency services, the new Helpline 1579, 179, Kellimni.com, and other services.
SafeSpace/GħallKenn may also be used by practitioners working with young people as an extension of their intervention and support.
The launch was held on 14 December 2022 at the Parliament Building in Valletta and opened by Hon Speaker Dr Anglu Farrugia. Other speakers included Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Chair and Founder of the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, Professor Tanya Sammut Bonnici, ProRector for Strategic Planning & Enterprise, Dr Anton Grech, Director of the Mental Health Services, Dr Denis Vella Baldacchino, Commissioner for Mental Health, and Prof Carmel Cefai and Rachel Spiteri from the Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health at the University of Malta.
