Mental health, solitude frequently the subject of calls made to 179

Appogg, the national social welfare agency for families and children in need, has received around 13,500 calls a year in the past five years, but the number of calls made to the helpline in 2008 and 2009 decreased by 2,000. Such a decline is due to campaigns made by the foundation intended to educate people to make use of the helpline when genuine help is required

Appogg has also kept record of phone calls made by children, and found that between 2005-2009, 1,827 calls were received, approximately 2.7% genuine calls a year.

The predominant reasons behind calling the helpline include cases of mental health, request for information and solitude. Around 16% of callers in 2006-2009 simply wanted to open up to someone and talk about their difficulties.

An agency spokesperson said “People find it easy to open up when phoning in because they know that callers speaking on the 179 supportline are anonymous, and feel comfortable speaking to people they don’t know.”

In 2005, 20% of calls made were related to cases of mental health, followed by 14% in succeeding years. Over the same five years, 2,484 of all calls received by Appogg were made by people who were unoccupied and felt like talking.

The 179 supportline consists of voluntary workers who listen to a speaker and offer help over the phone. If a particular call requires a specialised service, then particulars are taken and the person gets referred to another service within the same foundation.

If the foundation is unable to offer a service, the caller may be referred to another entity or professional, according to the person’s needs.

An Emotional Support Helpine, 116123, has also been introduced in Malta and may be used in all European member states. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is free when calling from a land line.