Malta – Mental Health

How is mental health generally viewed and talked about in Malta?

Malta’s cultural relationship with mental health has been shaped by its Mediterranean roots, strong family ties, religious traditions, and the profound social changes the island has experienced over recent decades. Stigma surrounding mental illness remains a real factor, and to understand it fully requires an appreciation of the Mediterranean cultural context — one that influences how conditions are perceived and described, how and whether people seek help, and how treatment is experienced. For expats arriving from places where mental health is routinely discussed in workplaces and social circles, this backdrop is important to keep in mind.

Even as institutional care has gradually given way to community-based approaches, openly talking about mental health conditions is still far from the norm, and many individuals are reluctant to acknowledge personal struggles. At the same time, broader conversations about mental wellbeing — particularly around themes like work-life balance and everyday stress — have become more socially acceptable, in part due to public awareness campaigns. This distinction matters: discussing burnout or pressure at work is increasingly unremarkable, whereas disclosing a clinical diagnosis remains a more sensitive matter for many people.

Stigma has been recognised as having a tangible impact on the lives of people with mental health conditions in Malta, frequently contributing to discrimination, social exclusion, and the harmful perception that such individuals pose a risk to society. Negative and derogatory language directed at people with mental illness persists, and this affects not only how individuals view themselves but also whether they feel comfortable seeking help. As a result, some people — especially those from communities where help-seeking is already fraught — may put off accessing support.

Over the past decade, meaningful progress has been made in how Malta approaches mental health, building on reforms that began in the early 1990s. The appointment of Malta’s first Mental Health Commissioner in 2012 marked an important turning point. Growing pressure from advocacy bodies and greater media engagement have helped bring mental health into more public discourse. Younger Maltese people are increasingly willing to engage with these topics, and anti-stigma initiatives have become more prominent — though attitudinal change remains a work in progress.

For expats, the practical implication is this: professional support is readily available and actively used, but you should not necessarily expect that disclosing a mental health diagnosis in a social or professional setting will be received in the same way it might be back home. Confidential, private care is widely accessible and is often the preferred route for those seeking support.

What mental health services are publicly available in Malta, and how does the system work?

Malta operates a publicly funded healthcare system, within which mental health services are delivered. The range of public mental health provision includes inpatient care, community-based mental health services, specialist services for children and young people, addiction services, eating disorder services, and geriatric mental health support. These are overseen by the government’s Department of Mental Health Services, accessible through mentalhealthservices.gov.mt.

For most people, the route into public mental health care begins with a referral from a GP (general practitioner), in a manner similar to systems in countries such as Ireland or France, where the family doctor acts as the gateway to specialist services. That said, community-level support can in some cases be accessed more directly. Expats who are registered with the Maltese health system — whether through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for EU residents, or as registered residents with a public health centre — are generally eligible to make use of publicly funded services.

The overarching direction of travel for Malta’s mental health system is a shift away from institutional care towards community-based provision as the primary model for treatment, care, and rehabilitation. Acute inpatient psychiatric care will be housed in a purpose-built facility being developed on the Mater Dei Hospital campus. As this new facility comes online, Mount Carmel Hospital — which has historically served as Malta’s main psychiatric institution — will cease to function in that capacity and will be repurposed. Expats arriving during this period of transition should be aware that service arrangements may be evolving.

Among the priorities being pursued within this reform agenda are expansions of community care centres to strengthen continuity between hospital and primary care, along with greater investment in outpatient and home-based mental health solutions. Despite these ambitions, the system still leans heavily on medically oriented, hospital-centred care, with comparatively limited provision for alternative or complementary therapeutic approaches.

Waiting times within the public system can be considerable, and the specifics shift frequently. For the most up-to-date information, contact the Department of Mental Health Services or the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing directly. For those who cannot afford to wait, the NGO sector — and Richmond Foundation in particular — provides an important bridge to timelier support.

Is private therapy or counselling available in Malta, and what does it cost?

Private therapy and counselling are well established in Malta, with a growing number of qualified practitioners offering individual therapy, couples work, family therapy, and specialist approaches such as trauma-focused therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The private sector includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors, each occupying a distinct professional role with a corresponding fee structure.

Psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors who specialise in mental health and hold prescribing rights. Psychologists are trained to deliver therapy and carry out psychological assessments and evaluations. Counsellors offer talk-based support focused on building coping strategies and addressing specific concerns. Psychotherapists are a broad category encompassing a range of professionals who provide mental health therapy through varied therapeutic methods and frameworks.

As of 2024, private therapy sessions in Malta generally fall in the range of approximately €40 to €80 or more per session, varying according to the practitioner’s qualifications, experience, and location. Psychiatrists and clinical psychologists tend to sit at the upper end of this range. Fees should always be confirmed directly with individual practitioners, as there is considerable variation. A useful starting point for locating practitioners is the TherapyRoute Malta directory, which lists therapists with their contact details and areas of specialism.

Unlike some European countries — Germany, for instance, where statutory health insurance funds a defined number of psychotherapy sessions following a formal approval process — Malta does not offer a comparable structured subsidy mechanism for talking therapies through its public system. Those seeking therapy beyond acute psychiatric care typically either pay privately or claim through voluntary health insurance. The body responsible for regulating health professions in Malta is the Health Regulatory Department under the Ministry for Health, where practitioner registrations can be verified.

Are there English-speaking therapists or counselling services available in Malta?

Malta has two official languages — Maltese and English — and English is used fluently at a professional level across most fields, including healthcare. For the majority of expats, accessing mental health support in English presents no significant barrier, and most private practitioners and NGO services routinely work with English-speaking clients.

A wide range of counselling and therapy services is available in Malta, and English is standard across most of them. Richmond Foundation Malta is a prominent non-governmental organisation providing community mental health services that include counselling, therapy, and support groups, all available in both Maltese and English. Richmond Foundation can be reached through richmond.org.mt or by telephone on 21224580.

Richmond Foundation’s mission is to deliver high-quality community mental health services that foster wellbeing, support prevention of mental health problems, and provide counselling to improve quality of life. Clients can self-refer and arrange counselling appointments either face to face in Malta or via online sessions. This self-referral model is particularly valuable for expats who have not yet registered with a local GP.

For those seeking private English-speaking therapists, the following directories and resources are helpful:

• TherapyRoute Malta — an online directory listing therapists in Malta, including their language capabilities and areas of specialism.
• Richmond Foundation Psychological Support Service — offers individual, couples, and family therapy in both English and Maltese.
• Malta Mental Health Services — the government’s official portal for public mental health services.
• HPDP Mental Health and Wellbeing page — maintained by the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate, this page includes a list of organisations offering mental wellbeing support in Malta.

If you need support in a language other than English or Maltese, availability is considerably more restricted. It is advisable to contact services directly to check language capacity before making a booking.

What support organisations or mental health charities operate in Malta?

Malta has a reasonably active NGO and voluntary sector working in the mental health field. The following organisations are among the most established:

• Richmond Foundation — Committed to delivering high-quality community mental health services, Richmond Foundation promotes mental wellbeing, works to prevent mental health difficulties, and provides counselling and support to improve quality of life. They operate the national crisis helpline (1770), the Olli online chat platform, and a psychological support service. Visit richmond.org.mt.
• Mental Health Association Malta (MHAM) — Founded in 1982, MHAM works to support those who care for people with mental illness, to educate the public in order to counter ignorance and reduce stigma, and to advocate for legislative changes that benefit caregivers and support workers. Visit mham.org.mt.
• Crisis Resolution Malta — Callers are connected with a multidisciplinary team comprising psychiatrists, psychotherapists, counsellors, and psychologists who listen with empathy and collaborate to identify a path forward. The service is open to everyone, regardless of age, gender, religious background, or nationality. Contact is also possible through Facebook Messenger, email at [email protected], or through the free Kriżi app.
• Kellimni.com — A joint initiative between the Ministry for the Family and SOS Malta, Kellimni.com is an online support service staffed by trained volunteers and professionals. It is accessible via Chat, Email, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and Telegram, and offers up to 12 free online counselling sessions with qualified practitioners. Visit kellimni.com.
• Caritas Malta — A Church-affiliated social services organisation with a longstanding presence in community mental health support in Malta, including addiction-related services. Visit caritasmalta.org.
• Malta Health Network (MHN) — Established in 2007, MHN is an organisation focused on advancing health-related interests for patients and the wider community in Malta.

Malta also has an Office of the Commissioner for Mental Health, which safeguards the rights of individuals with mental health conditions. The office can be contacted through the official health portal at mentalhealthservices.gov.mt. While Malta does not have a formally listed affiliate of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), both Richmond Foundation and Crisis Resolution Malta carry out crisis prevention work consistent with international best practice standards.

What should expats do in a mental health crisis in Malta?

Being prepared before a crisis occurs can make a significant difference. Malta’s universal emergency number is 112, covering ambulance, police, and fire services — the same number used across the European Union. If you or someone nearby is in immediate danger, call 112 without hesitation.

For psychiatric emergencies that do not require an ambulance but where someone is at risk, the Accident and Emergency department at Mater Dei Hospital in Msida is the principal facility for acute care on the main island. On Gozo, Gozo General Hospital is equipped to assist with mental health crises. If you are not in need of an ambulance but are concerned about risk to yourself or others, you can attend the A&E department directly, where clinical staff can assess the situation and connect you with local psychiatrists, counsellors, and group support as needed.

For situations that are serious but not immediately life-threatening, Malta has dedicated crisis support lines that are more appropriate than contacting the general emergency services:

• Richmond Foundation helpline: 1770 — Available around the clock, seven days a week, this free helpline connects callers experiencing mental health difficulties with professionals who can provide both emotional support and practical guidance.
• Olli Chat (online) — Richmond Foundation’s Olli chatroom operates 24/7 and is designed for people who prefer written communication. It provides emotional support and practical guidance online. Access it at olli.chat.
• Crisis Resolution Malta — Available at any hour by phone, Facebook Messenger, email ([email protected]), or via the free Kriżi app.

Both Richmond Foundation and Crisis Resolution Malta operate in English, making them directly accessible to expats. This arrangement — a dedicated 24/7 mental health helpline running alongside A&E crisis services — is broadly comparable to structures in countries such as Ireland (Samaritans alongside emergency services) or the Netherlands (crisis lines alongside psychiatric emergency teams). It means that for many levels of mental health crisis, attending a hospital is not the only or necessarily the first option.

Are online or remote therapy options accessible from Malta?

Remote and online therapy has become an established part of Malta’s mental health landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a broader push towards digital health services across Malta, including the expansion of teleconsultations. This development extended into the mental health sector, and many private therapists and organisations now offer video-based sessions as a standard option alongside in-person appointments.

Richmond Foundation accepts self-referrals and can arrange counselling appointments either in person in Malta or online, making it possible to begin accessing support before you have fully settled or registered with a local GP. International platforms such as BetterHelp and Talkspace are technically accessible from Malta, and some expats use them to continue working with a therapist they established a relationship with prior to relocating.

That said, there are practical considerations to keep in mind when using an overseas-based therapist while residing in Malta. A therapist who holds a licence only in, for example, Canada or Australia may not be authorised under Maltese or EU regulatory frameworks to deliver therapy to clients based in Malta. While enforcement of these boundaries is inconsistent, it is worth raising this directly with any international provider you are considering. If clinical complications arise — such as a safeguarding concern or the need for a local prescription — an overseas-based therapist will also have limited capacity to coordinate care on the ground.

The most straightforward arrangement is to work with a Malta-based therapist who offers online sessions, which provides flexibility without the regulatory ambiguity. The TherapyRoute Malta directory and Richmond Foundation both list practitioners offering remote options. The HPDP mental health page also maintains a list of entities providing mental wellbeing support, some of which include digital formats.

How do expats typically navigate health insurance for mental health treatment in Malta?

Malta’s public healthcare system is financed primarily through general taxation and social security contributions. As of 2021, public sources accounted for 67% of total health expenditure in Malta — well below the EU average of 81% — reflecting the comparatively high level of private spending, with out-of-pocket payments making up around 30% of current health expenditure. In practice, this means that many people, expats included, meet a significant share of mental health costs either through their own funds or via voluntary health insurance (VHI).

For expats considering private health insurance, the extent to which mental health treatment is covered varies considerably between policies. Some plans exclude mental health conditions entirely; others impose a cap on the number of sessions covered annually or include waiting periods before psychiatric benefits come into effect. When reviewing any policy, pay close attention to the following points:

• Whether outpatient therapy — including counselling, psychotherapy, and psychology sessions — is covered, not merely inpatient psychiatric admissions
• Any annual limits on the number of sessions the policy will fund
• Whether pre-existing mental health conditions are excluded from cover
• Whether a GP referral is a prerequisite before a therapy claim can be made
• Whether online or teletherapy sessions qualify for reimbursement

Malta does not have a mental health parity law comparable to, for example, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act in the United States, which obligates insurers to provide equivalent cover for mental and physical health conditions. In the absence of such legislation, insurers operating in Malta face no legal requirement to match mental health benefits to physical health benefits. Reading the small print of any policy carefully and verifying the current terms with your insurer before commencing treatment is essential.

For regulatory queries relating to health insurance in Malta, the competent authority is the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which oversees insurance companies operating in Malta. The Ministry for Health and Active Ageing is the appropriate contact for questions about public entitlements and the scope of publicly funded mental health services.

EU citizens living and working in Malta who contribute to the social security system may be entitled to access public mental health services on the same basis as Maltese nationals. Non-EU residents should review their entitlements carefully with reference to their specific residency status and any applicable bilateral agreements. It is also worth noting that some employers in Malta — particularly in the international business and gaming sectors — offer Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) that provide a number of free, confidential counselling sessions as part of the employment package.

Frequently asked questions

Can I access public mental health services in Malta as an expat?

EU citizens living in Malta and contributing to the social security system are generally entitled to use public health services, including mental health services, on the same terms as Maltese residents. Non-EU residents should check their entitlements according to their specific residency permit. The standard entry point is through a GP at a public health centre, or directly via the Department of Mental Health Services. For current eligibility information, contact the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing at health.gov.mt.

How long are waiting times for public mental health services in Malta?

Waiting times in the public system can be substantial and differ depending on the type of service and the urgency of the presenting situation. Acute and urgent cases receive priority. For non-urgent counselling or psychological support, waits of several weeks to months are not uncommon. If you need help sooner, Richmond Foundation operates a self-referral counselling service, and its 24/7 helpline on 1770 offers an immediate first point of contact.

Is there a language barrier when accessing mental health support in Malta?

English is an official language in Malta and is spoken fluently by healthcare professionals across the board, including therapists and psychiatrists. The great majority of private practitioners and major NGOs such as Richmond Foundation deliver services in English as standard. If you require support in another language, options are considerably more limited — contact individual providers in advance to check availability. The Richmond Foundation helpline (1770) and Olli Chat also operate in English.

Will mental health treatment be covered by my health insurance in Malta?

This depends entirely on the specifics of your policy. Some international and local private health insurance plans include outpatient therapy sessions; others restrict cover to inpatient psychiatric admissions or exclude mental health conditions altogether. Malta has no legal equivalent of mental health parity laws found in some other countries. Always review your policy’s mental health benefit terms carefully and confirm current cover directly with your insurer before beginning any treatment.

What is the best first step if I’m struggling with my mental health after moving to Malta?

If your situation is not urgent, a good starting point is to register with a GP at a public health centre or with a private doctor, who can assess your needs and refer you to appropriate services. You can also self-refer to Richmond Foundation’s psychological support service by calling 21224580 or visiting richmond.org.mt. If you are in crisis, the Richmond Foundation helpline on 1770 is available at any hour, day or night.

Does the cultural stigma around mental health in Malta mean I should avoid discussing it with colleagues or friends?

Not necessarily, but it is worth recognising that attitudes in Malta vary considerably depending on age, background, and social environment. Younger people and those with international connections tend to be more open, while older or more traditional communities may respond with less understanding. In practical terms, confidential professional care is fully accessible and normalised — stigma is more relevant to personal disclosure in social settings than to seeking services. Many expats find it useful to keep professional support and their social life separate, at least in the early stages of settling in.

Are there support groups for expats dealing with mental health challenges in Malta?

There is no single dedicated expat mental health support group in Malta, but Richmond Foundation runs group therapy and support programmes alongside its individual counselling services. Expat communities on social media platforms — such as Facebook groups for people living in Malta — sometimes facilitate informal peer support. Employee Assistance Programmes offered by larger international employers can also be a useful initial source of confidential support. Check with Richmond Foundation at richmond.org.mt for details of their current group programme offerings.

What happens if I need emergency psychiatric care in Malta?

Call 112 for an ambulance if someone is in immediate danger. Otherwise, go directly to the Accident and Emergency department at Mater Dei Hospital in Msida — the primary acute hospital on the main island — or to Gozo General Hospital if you are based on Gozo. Psychiatric liaison staff within the A&E system can assess and manage mental health emergencies. You can also call the Richmond Foundation 24/7 helpline on 1770 for immediate support and guidance on the most appropriate next step for your situation.