It is important that society is united in a battle to break the stigma lingering over mental illness, according to psychiatrist Anton Grech.

This stigma and the fear of being labelled weak, incompetent or crazy is what keeps many sufferers from reaching for help.

“Many people take sick leave due to psychiatric illness, yet they keep it silent.

Even when getting married, the Church asks you whether you’ve had any psychiatric illnesses and, if so, whether it would affect your capabilities.

We live in a culture of suspicion

“It seems that in our culture, as soon as we mention ‘psychiatric illness’, unnecessary alarm bells start ringing. We live in a culture of suspicion.”

Dr Grech stressed that mental illness is not any different from any other physical condition. The fact it is invisible and less obvious does not make it any less tangible.

“It is a biological condition like any other condition. In order to beat the stigma, it is of vital importance that we get this message across.

“It has nothing to do with volition or will – it results from chemical imbalances.”

Seeking treatment for mental illness is essential because the longer it is left untreated, the harder and less effective it becomes to treat, like any other illness.

“Unfortunately, psychiatric conditions are fatal as well due to the risk of suicide so it is not something to take lightly.”