Nothing is more important to us at the Maltese Association of Psychiatry than the safety of our members, colleagues and patients.
We would like to extend our appreciation and support to the public health specialists, and other medical professionals who have been working day and night to assist the public in this difficult time. We urge ALL to follow public health advice.
As psychiatrists, we ask that we keep in mind the most vulnerable in our society.
We also ask that people are mindful of their emotions. This is a time of of uncertainty and with it may bring personal feelings of stress which may include: feeling overwhelmed, irritable, worried or even panicky. We may notice that we can no longer concentrate well on the work we are meant to be doing and might notice that we end up repetitively worrying or thinking about a thought or fear which sticks in our mind.
Some Practical Advice
Try to limit social media or screen time to a maximum of two hours a day. When reading about COVID-19 limit yourself to reliable sources. As psychiatrists we emphasise the importance of maintaining the work leisure balance you have/had within your daily life, whilst following the public health directions. Try to find the time to carry out one pleasurable activity per day such as reading a book, talking to a friend, going for a walk, watching a film as well as many others.
Remember the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s five keys to good mental health are:
- Eat well
- Sleep well
- Do regular excercise
- Look out for supportive relationships and
- Reach out and do something good for others.
This is a challenging time for all. As such, we remind our colleagues that we are united in our diverse skills, and we pledge our support in offering our own skill-set and expertise.
Useful Resources
- For more information about Covid-19 in Malta visit https://covid19malta.info/ and follow Covid-19 Malta: Real Public Health Advice on Facebook here.
- Follow the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate on Facebook here.
- WHO: Mental Health Considerations during Covid-19 Outbreak