Parliament discusses Bill to legally recognise psychotherapist as a profession

Parliament on Wednesday discussed a Bill to legally recognise psychotherapy as a profession in Malta.

Both sides of the House said that they are in favour of this legislation and voted for it to proceed to the next legislative stage for minor amendments before its formal passing into law.

Parliament discussed this Bill’s First Reading and Second Reading on Wednesday. It was unanimously voted through to the Committee Stage for small amendments to be discussed internally, before being expected to be introduced into Maltese law in the Third Reading at a later stage.

Psychotherapy is defined as the treatment of a mental condition by verbally discussing someone’s problems with them, instead of through the utilisation of drugs or operations. Opposition MP Ian Vassallo spoke of the effectiveness of talk therapy by psychotherapists, where clients can be made aware of their situations and what coping mechanisms and stress management strategies they can undertake to try and improve their personal situations.

This Bill amends the Psychotherapy Profession Act that was first introduced in 2018.

Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said that nowadays, “no-one doubts that psychotherapy is a profession in its own right.”

While recognising psychotherapists’ value in supporting people’s mental health on the Maltese islands, Minister Falzon reminded that one does not have to be a mental health professional to help someone who is feeling low. He noted that even the simplest gesture can help someone feel just a bit better while acknowledging more difficult realities, such as people struggling with addiction.

PN MP Albert Buttigieg said that the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic had negative ramifications on people’s mental health, and not just on economic and social landscapes. He noted that several people – not just the elderly – are now prone to mental health issues, even adults, children, and adolescents.

He called for the country to begin measuring quality of life as the measuring stick of its success, rather than GDP which focuses on economic prosperity. Buttigieg said that measuring national GDP is necessary, money isn’t everything, and “if we truly want to prioritise people’s wellbeing in their totality, then we must be courageous and move away from GDP, and in favour of quality of life.”

Buttigieg made a public appeal for people to seek a psychotherapist or any other mental health professional if they are going through personal struggles – despite any existing stigmas around doing so.

The Opposition MP admitted that when he made the difficult decision to step away from priesthood, he made use of this help and support himself.

In this regard, Minister Falzon commented that “everyone reaches a moment where they need help” and that doing so is not a sign of weakness, but much rather, the contrary, since “it means you had the courage to seek help.”

The Minister for EU Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, said that the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic altered people’s perceptions of seeking mental health support and commented that psychotherapists are just one branch of the several kinds of mental health professionals working in the country today.

Opposition MP Stephen Spiteri acknowledged the cross-party support behind this Bill “for psychotherapists to keep advancing in Malta” for their profession as well as for their patients’ wellbeing.

He stated that as time passes, a wider range of mental health conditions is being observed, thus highlighting the need of more working mental health professionals like psychotherapists, occupational therapists, specialised nurses, etc., across the country. Spiteri noted that even as a doctor himself, he is confident that these local professionals are of the necessary level to provide the best care for patients while supporting their personal wellbeing.

Minister Falzon concluded this discussion by saying that if there is one message the government wants to share, it is that “we are a society that is not only ready to give people a second chance, but the third chance” and more if necessary.