PRESS RELEASE BY DR LYDIA ABELA The Festival on Mental Health and Wellbeing – ‘Nitkellem’ this Friday at Fort St Elmo

On Friday, 10th October, Dr Lydia Abela will lead an initiative whereby, in collaboration with the Government of Malta, will promote greater awareness and understanding of mental health and wellbeing during the festival 'Nitkellem'.

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Fort St Elmo in Valletta will be transformed into a village of serenity, offering space for reflection as well as open dialogue against stigma and in favour of practical tools for better wellbeing.

In collaboration with the Richmond Foundation, SOS Malta, Dar Kenn għal Saħħtek, Special Olympics Malta, actress Simone Spiteri and swimmer Neil Agius, the festival will feature a wide variety of activities throughout the day.

Between 09:00am and noon, an interactive journey will be held for students, turning their thoughts and emotions into words, sounds and stories.

Informal discussions will follow until 15:00, focusing on the impact of relationships, art and culture, and food on mental health. At 15:00, swimmer Neil Agius will lead a breathwork session that teaches valuable skills for both personal and professional life. All these activities are open to the public.

At 17:00, a national conference on mental health and wellbeing will begin, where professionals, activists, and experts in the field will share experiences and ideas for the way forward.

At 20:00, Kelma Kelma Nota Nota will present a concert titled 'Tesaġerax! Riċetta għal Ħajja Aħjar', an original production delivering a strong message in favour of a more resilient and compassionate society. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/Tesaġerax, and all proceeds will go towards the Richmond Foundation.

The full programme of activities is available at lydiabela.com.