On the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2023, with the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right’, we, the Bishops, wish to emphasize how important it is for all of us to take care of our mental health and that of others.
Let us, in a special way, keep in mind all those who are experiencing mental health problems. We earnestly encourage you to seek the help you need.
We thank all those, including NGOs, who are wholeheartedly dedicating themselves to offering therapy and responding in a dignified manner where there are mental health problems.
We urge everyone to offer complete support to one another – to members of our family, to our friends, to our work colleagues and to all those who are experiencing these difficulties – so that nobody will end up bearing the weight of suffering alone. A kind word is worth its weight in gold in such situations.
In a special way, we encourage our communities to continue caring for those who are suffering solitude or who feel isolated. We need to be attentive to the cry for help that is sometimes silent and hidden, remaining unheard.
We pray to God to help us all to always treasure life and the dignity of every person and to assist us in implementing our commitment to strengthening mental health in our society.
✠ Charles Jude Scicluna
Archbishop of Malta
✠ Anton Teuma
Bishop of Gozo
✠ Joseph Galea-Curmi
Auxiliary Bishop of Malta
Fr Jimmy Bonnici
General Secretary Episcopal Conference