November 7, 2025

A national conference hosted by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Malta has called for urgent action to address the growing emotional and financial strain faced by families caring for children and young people with mental health challenges.

Held on October 29, 2025, in collaboration with the National Mental Health Services, Aġenzija Sapport, and the Mental Health Association Malta, the Family-Centred Care Conference brought together professionals, educators, and caregivers to discuss how Malta can better integrate families as partners in care, not just support systems operating on the margins.

Family burnout take centre stage

Among the strongest messages from the day was the need to recognise and support parents’ emotional wellbeing, particularly the often-overlooked mental health of fathers. Participants heard how many parents experience burnout, guilt, and financial pressure when navigating fragmented services or long waiting lists.

“Behind every child struggling with mental health is a parent or caregiver struggling to hold the family together,” said Martin Xuereb, Chairman of RMHC. “When we invest in families, we’re not just supporting one person, we’re strengthening the foundation of community wellbeing.”

A call to embed Family-Centred Care

Delivering the keynote address, Péter Kéri, President of GAMIAN-Europe (Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks), spoke about the importance of empathy and resonance between families, professionals, and systems of care. He emphasised that building genuine partnerships in mental health requires respect for diversity and the ability to work in harmony, even when perspectives differ.

In her presentation, Dr Claire Casha, Head of the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of Malta’s Faculty for Social Wellbeing, outlined how Malta’s mental health services must evolve from individual-focused models toward family-centred approaches. She explained that this shift demands both professional readiness and system-wide structures that enable collaboration across disciplines.

A fireside chat featuring Dr Alistair De Gaetano, Administrator of the Directorate for Disability Issues and Chairperson of the Autism Advisory Council, explored how upcoming legislation such as the Personal Autonomy Bill and the Protection of Adults with a Supportive and Voluntary Agreement (PASVA) framework can enhance patient rights and empower families to participate meaningfully in care decisions.

Towards a more compassionate system

Workshops held throughout the conference generated practical insights from parents, clinicians, and social care professionals on topics such as family wellbeing, professional collaboration, and the challenges of transitioning between child and adult services. Collectively, these discussions reflected the urgent need to embed family-centred care as a guiding principle within Malta’s mental health and social support systems.

“This is not just a professional conversation; it’s a national one,” Xuereb said. “Families are asking for a seat at the table. The next step is to make sure the system is ready to listen.”