Discussion tackles loneliness in a fast-paced world
The speakers cautioned against idealising the past
Loneliness, the erosion of community life, and the pressures of modern living were at the heart of a wide-ranging discussion held during an event held at the Archbishop’s Seminary, Tal-Virtù, Rabat, titled ‘Mental health in a fast-paced world: From challenges to action’.
The main speakers were Anton Grech, clinical chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, and psychologist Monique Sultana Debrincat. The event organised by the group Logos was moderated by Fr Joe Borg.
Participants noted that while solitude can be healthy, loneliness often emerges through withdrawal, emotional barriers and the loss of meaningful human connection. Several participants lamented the pace of modern life, observing that families increasingly struggle to share meals, conversations, or time free from digital distractions.
Grech and Sultana Debrincat cautioned against idealising the past, noting that economic pressures today leave many with little choice but to live hurried, fragmented lives.
Technology’s double-edged role was a recurring theme. Contributors described social media as both connective and isolating, with Grech explaining how dopamine-driven digital habits can fuel dependency. Sultana Debrincat stressed that teachers should not be afraid to involve themselves in children’s lives or to report concerns. Educators highlighted the growing responsibility placed on teachers to recognise early signs of distress in students, stressing the need for training and genuine communication.
Speakers also explored spiritual dimensions of loneliness, emphasising the value of reflection, community, and faith. Practical solutions ranged from simple gestures of kindness to strengthening family life and rebuilding community networks.
Closing the event, Grech urged participants to translate concern into action. “If each of us works to ease our own loneliness and that of others,” he said, “we begin to build the solution together.”
The objective of Logos is to help create dialogue spaces based on the Christian message to instil hope in Maltese society.