Following the results of a research made in Malta, Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea said that people were afraid and embarrassed of admitting they have mental health problems, and at times feel ashamed to talk about their experiences with these problems and of visiting psychiatrists.

It is estimated that there are 50 million people in the EU suffering from mental health problems.  According to figures, mental health problems in Malta are among the lowest in the EU.

The survey, which was carried out as part of the European Health Interview Survey, stated that 15 per cent of the Maltese population was prone to suffer from mental health problems at a point in their life.  8 per cent will be affected with chronic anxiety while 7 per cent will suffer from depression.

According to this research, those with less education would be more easily affected, as well as being widowed or having problems in your marriage.  Women have a tendency to suffer from mental health problems more than men, and age can also increase the chance of suffering from such problems.

The results indicate that having a large circle of friends might save you from suffering from mental health problems.

18 per cent of the 5,500 people interviewed replied that they often felt nervous, while 6 per cent stated they often felt depressed.  11 per cent admitted of feeling tired most or all of the time.  The majority of the people recalled only positive feelings in the four weeks before being interviewed.  73 per cent felt cheerful most, if not all of the time, while 64 per cent were in high spirits.

Mr Galea said that usually problems start during the teenage years, which is why more awareness about mental health problems should be made in schools.  Most of the people suffering from such problems were said to be bullied, even adults.

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