Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529355
7 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 15 NOVEMBER 2024 NEWS CHRISTMAS IN GOZO 30 NOV 2024 - 6 JAN 2025 LEYDA - MIXED MEDIA ON PANEL - JEREMY SPITERI FOLLOW THE PROGRAMME ON Untitled-1 1 Untitled-1 1 10/23/2024 10:34:23 AM 10/23/2024 10:34:23 AM GOZO'S Dar il-Kantuniera, which offers a safe transition between psychiatric care and community living, has prov- en so successful that the Malta Trust Foundation and the Men- tal Health Association Gozo are seeking to expand these essen- tial services. Opened three years ago as a pilot project in Għarb, the res- idence has achieved an impres- sive 86 per cent rate in helping individuals with mental health challenges reintegrate into the community, away from institu- tionalisation. The home offers a maximum of 12-week respite for up to six individuals at a time, and the Gozo Ministry is now renewing its agreement with TMTF and the MHAGozo, and once again allocating more than €600,000 for the next three years. Foundation chair Marie-Lou- ise Coleiro Preca said the funds will go towards the salaries and premises' upkeep, while TMTF will continue to raise funds to pay for service users' daily needs. "Dar il-Kantuniera was the first project of its kind in Gozo and was set up to empower mental health patients transi- tioning to the community with the necessary social skills to cope within a family and com- munity environment. It is up- lifting and rewarding to see the impact it is having on the lives of these individuals," Coleiro Preca said. "Together with our partners, MHAGozo, we are exploring options to expand our services in mental health from a social perspective in Gozo to meet the growing demand and needs." Dar il-Kantuniera has the feel and safety of a home, but with the full spectrum of services tailored to every individual's needs for physical and mental wellbeing. Coleiro Preca expressed ap- preciation for the support and expertise offered by Prof. Anton Grech, Prof. Josianne Scerri and Prof. Josianne Cutajar, as well as the collaboration with the team of psychiatrists and profession- als, who referred individuals to Dar il-Kantuniera. "A success rate of 86 per cent is good, but we will strive hard- er to ensure that where possible individuals with mental health challenges can safely return to living among us," she added. Agreement for Gozo's Dar il-Kantuniera renewed after successful reintegration of mental health clients