'Going through a difficult time? Call 1579'

The daily-needs brand Maypole is collaborating with the Ministry for Health in a campaign through reusable bags to decrease the stigma around mental health on the occasion of World Mental Health Day.Maypole will hand out thousands of bags stamped wit

By: independent.com.mt

Oct 05 2024
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'Going through a difficult tim

The daily-needs brand Maypole is collaborating with the Ministry for Health in a campaign through reusable bags to decrease the stigma around mental health on the occasion of World Mental Health Day.

Maypole will hand out thousands of bags stamped with, "Going through a difficult time? Call 1579" on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, celebrated on 10 October. The primary aim of these bags is to encourage people to look for help if they are going through a challenging time.

"Since the 1579 helpline has been online, around 16,000 phone calls have been made and we are in favour of such initiatives with the private sector since it is important to keep on raising awareness in every way possible," Minister for Health Jo-Etienne Abela said.

He explained that the government has made mental health a priority in its work and spoke of the need to raise more awareness on mental health which must be done by decreasing the stigma on the subject since it is part of everyone's physical health. He added that the government is working to move forward with services of mental health in the community which will also help decrease the stigma regarding mental healthcare.

"We wish for everyone who needs mental healthcare to step forward and make use of the 1579 helpline with professionals avilable 24/7 ready to help. Together, we can make a difference and overcome this stigma." Abela said.

On his part, Maypole Director Sebastian Debono explained that the reusable bags are estimated to reach about 60,000 people in different communities in which Maypole is present and added that Maypole's work doesn't just stop at selling daily needs but also focuses on the whole community. He said that Maypole deems its the people who enter their doors not just as customers but also as individuals that form part of a larger family. He added that everyone can pass through a difficult time and wished to use this initiative to remind everyone that there is help and encouraged people to make use of it.

The bags will be available at 29 Maypole shops as of Monday 7 October with the same message stamped on them to be shown on shop screens.