Private crisis support network launched

Speaking during the launch of a “revolutionary” and “much needed” private network that aims to support individuals successfully cope with any crisis they might be going through; Xuereb said the network aims to help people cope with their personal crisis before these overwhelm them.

“Some people out there struggle on a daily basis and have to endure a lot of hardship,” Xuereb said. “Their inability to cope leaves them helpless and plunges them into a crisis.” Xuereb pointed to suicide, aggression, and battery statistics to “corroborate this.”

Xuereb said that according to World Health Organisation figures, suicide rates have gone up by 45 per cent over the past 40 years – an average of 1 per cent annually. He added that those individuals prone to self-harm are also 100 per cent more prone to committing suicide as well.

“Malta is not exempt from such neglect, abuse and exploitation,” he added, pointing out that locally there exists a well-known and documented culture of under-reporting with regards to self-harm, suicide, abuse, and domestic violence. “Our figures could be concealing hidden monsters,” he said.

He pointed to this need for “immediate support and alternative ways of coping” as the reason behind the conception of Crisis Resolution Malta. “We acknowledge that people need help when in crisis and we know that the longer it takes to offer this help the worse the prognosis.”

Asked about whether the network would assist those who would not be able to afford its fees as a private enterprise, Xuereb stressed that the network is not “commercialising human suffering” and would “put human life ahead of any financial consideration.”

He explained that the network already has systems in place to ensure that those in need of assistance are not turned away - regardless of their financial situation. Without going into the specifics of the systems, he said that every case would be handled “on a case by case basis.”

He also did not exclude that the network would offer services up to a certain threshold free of charge for financially-reduced individuals. “I no way can we put aside our duties as doctors,” he said.

During a brief presentation, Xuereb explained that the network would be able to provide counselling, intervention, prevention, preparation and also post-vention (post-support) services.

He explained that the guiding purpose behind the support given is to ensure that people receive immediate support before being directed to professionals for specific assistance with their crisis.

“This is not about being strong or weak or unlucky,” Xuereb said. “While it is true that some life events and factors make a person more prone to not coping during a crisis (such as drugs, alcohol, poor upbringing etc) anyone can be affected adversely irrespective of one’s background or coping skills.”

The professionals available to callers, which include psychologists, psychotherapists, mental health and emergency nurses, lawyers, counsellors, social workers, priests, and doctors will intervene as appropriate to help those seeking support.

CRM’s professionals are available between 9 am and 9 pm, and can be contacted on 9933 9966 (normal charges apply), or through e-mail on [email protected]. The network is also accessible through a page on social networking website Facebook.