Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545285
IN a time when mental health is finally beginning to emerge from the shadows of stigma, storytelling has become one of the most powerful tools we possess. Not just statistics, pol- icy papers and clinical defini- tions, but human stories; raw, lived, and often uncomfortable. These are the narratives that stay with us, that unsettle us, and ultimately, that change us. It is precisely this space that the second instalment of the documentary Moħħi tal-Ġenn 2 seeks to inhabit. Building on the success of its first series, this new produc- tion, made up of seven intense stories, dares to go deeper and further. It moves beyond awareness as a concept and in- to the terrain of lived experi- ence. Structured around seven distinct life stories, the series does not attempt to general- ise mental health into a single, digestible narrative. Instead, it deliberately fragments it in- to multiple realities; stories of depression, psychosis, suicide, eating disorders, disability, grief, and survival. Each account stands inde- pendently, yet together they form a powerful mosaic of what it means to struggle, to cope, and sometimes, simply to en- dure. What distinguishes the docu- mentary is not only its subject matter, but its narrative cour- age. By presenting one lived experience after another, unin- terrupted, unfiltered, and un- polished the series resists the temptation to sanitise or sim- plify. There are no neat con- clusions here, no comforting resolutions. Instead, there are people speaking their truth in all its complexity. In doing so, the production invites us not to consume these stories, but to witness them. And there is a profound difference between the two. Among the voices featured are individuals whose experiences cut across generations, profes- sions, and social spaces, each bringing a different lens to the understanding of mental health. Artist and public commentator Salvu Mallia reflects on ageing, relevance, and his deeply per- sonal struggle with depression, an often-overlooked dimension of mental health tied to identity and purpose. Abigail Mallia, a film maker, opens up about her journey through eating disor- ders and depression, exposing the hidden realities that can ex- ist behind outward success and public visibility. Equally compelling is the tes- timony of Nathalie Mizzi, who shares the devastating loss of her daughter, Laura Rio (30 years), who passed away in two weeks following a serious illness. Her story is one of grief in its rawest form; intimate, disorienting, and profoundly human. It forces us to confront not only loss, but the silence and isolation that often accom- pany it. The series delivers other pow- erful narratives. Raiimi, a per- son with autism, offers insight into living with disability and mental health, challenging so- cietal assumptions while high- lighting resilience and dignity. Author and social activist Karl Schembri recounts the trau- ma of losing his mother at the hands of his mentally ill father, a deeply unsettling story that forces us to grapple with the complex and often uncom- fortable intersections between mental illness, violence, and family life. Maya Scerri, a young moth- er and social media influencer, brings attention to her lived ex- perience with obsessive-com- pulsive disorder (OCD) and panic attacks, conditions fre- quently misunderstood, trivi- alised, or misrepresented. Her voice is particularly signifi- cant in a digital age where ap- pearances often mask internal struggles. Meanwhile, Janvil, a well-known entertainer and singer, reflects on growing up in a family shaped by depres- sion; his mother's, his father's, and eventually his own. His story underscores how men- tal health is rarely isolated; it moves through generations, shaping and reshaping family dynamics in profound ways. For too long, conversations around mental health have been confined to the clinical or the abstract. We speak of "cas- es," "conditions," and "symp- toms," often stripping away the human experience at the core. The documentary Moħħi tal- Ġenn 2 challenges this discon- nection. It reclaims the human- ity behind the terminology and reminds us that mental health is not an issue that belongs to "others." It is embedded in our homes, our relationships, our workplaces, and our communi- ties. It exists in moments of si- lence, in acts of resilience, and in the spaces where words often fail. Equally significant is the deci- sion to make the series accessi- ble through English subtitles. In a multilingual and increasingly diverse society, accessibility is not an afterthought but it is es- sential. By extending its reach beyond linguistic boundaries, the series ensures that these stories are not confined to a limited audience but are shared more widely, fostering broader understanding and dialogue. Yet, the true measure of Moħħi tal-Ġenn 2 will not lie in viewing figures or media at- tention. Its real impact will be found in quieter, less measur- able spaces, in conversations sparked around kitchen tables, in lecture halls, and across so- cial media platforms. It will be seen in moments of recog- nition, when individuals see parts of their own experiences reflected back at them, perhaps for the first time. And most im- portantly, it will contribute to the gradual dismantling of the silence and stigma that contin- ue to surround mental health. We often say that awareness is the first step. But awareness alone is not enough. This se- ries asks more of us. It asks us to listen, truly listen, to sit with discomfort, to resist easy judge- ments, and to acknowledge the complexity of human experi- ence. It challenges us to move beyond passive understanding and towards active compassion. Moħħi tal-Ġenn 2 is not simply a documentary to be watched. It is a series to be felt, to be reflected upon, and most importantly, to be talked about. In giving voice to the unspoken, it opens a space that is long overdue, one where stories are not hidden, but heard. At the heart of this initiative is a team that recognises both the responsibility and the sensitiv- ity such storytelling demands. The project is driven by the vi- sion and collaboration of Pep- pi Azzopardi, Mandy Micallef Grimaud and Anita Vassallo Piccinino of Illalu Media, whose production expertise brings these narratives to life with care and integrity. Advisory sup- port from Prof. Paulann Grech, subtitling work of Patrick Far- rugia who plays a crucial role in making the series accessible to a wider audience. Concept and direction of Prof. Andrew Azzopardi and with the par- tial financial support of Stiva- la group. The documentary is being released on social media and TV networks. 6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 JUNE 2026 OPINION Andrew Azzopardi & Paulann Grech Listening to the unspoken: Why Mohhi tal-Genn matters now more than ever Azzopardi and Grech are academics at the University of Malta Two stills from the documentary on mental health