Psychologists at Mt Carmel Hospital (MCH) assisted 2056 clients and offered 9402 sessions during 2012, Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care Mario Galea said during the inauguration of the refurbished Department of Psychology MCH.

Mario Galea explained that the Department, currently employs 17 psychologists and 23 trainee psychologists also provides community services in 40 localities. Currently, there are six mental health clinics and five day centres for people with mental health problems.

During 2012, more than 9,000 clients were treated through the Outreach Service in their residences and over 3,100 people used the mental health clinics. At the same time the Crisis Intervention Team assisted 1282 clients within the community.

Mario Galea added that psychologists are enthusiastic about the new mental health law, as it is seen as an opportunity to further improve their service. The MCH psychologists’ team contribute to more initiatives in society such as the Clown Doctors, the Child Guidance Clinic, therapy and counseling to adult cancer patients at Boffa Hospital and extensive psychotherapy work with people suffering from alcohol abuse.