Building Bridges in Mental Health: The Journey and Vision Behind Willingness

Looking back on the road since establishing Willingness in 2011, I am filled with gratitude and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. As a student, I noticed that mental health treatments in Malta were sometimes disconnected, particularly in the private sector.

Building a New Model for Mental Health Care

At that time, clients seeking assistance faced a fragmented system where experts worked independently, making comprehensive care difficult to access. This experience led me to envision a different approach—one where teamwork and communication would improve care quality and provide clients with more holistic services.

With this aim in mind, I founded Willingness, a multidisciplinary team dedicated to transforming the local approach to mental health treatment. The concept was novel at the time, as it brought together specialists from multiple areas and modalities under one roof.

Psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, psychiatrists, and other specialists could exchange ideas, analyse cases (with strict confidentiality), and create integrated treatment programs. This collaborative methodology aimed to address clients’ complex needs far more effectively than any single practitioner could.

Over the years, Willingness has expanded not only in size but also in expertise and impact. To sustain this progress, our team members regularly participate in training sessions and group supervision. These gatherings are more than formalities; they serve as dynamic spaces for challenging one another, presenting research, and staying current on best practices.

This commitment to continuous learning ensures we deliver services based on the latest information while also fostering team members’ professional growth.

Accountability is also fundamental to our approach. By working closely together, we hold each other to high standards. This culture of mutual accountability enhances service quality and creates an environment where professionals can share experiences. As a result, we generate creative ideas and achieve better outcomes for clients.

In addition to internal collaboration, we value communication with the broader community. One of our team’s core activities is writing blogs and articles.

This practice serves several purposes. It keeps us updated on mental health developments, sharpens our ability to explain complex ideas clearly, and enables us to share insights with the public. Through these efforts, we hope to reduce stigma and encourage more people to seek help when needed.

Over the past decade, it has been inspiring to see the rise of new multidisciplinary clinics across Malta. The growing number of professionals enhancing client well-being shows the positive impact of our work on the broader community.

While Willingness was one of the first to adopt this model locally, the rise of similar initiatives signifies a shift toward integrated care. This aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance mental health services and make comprehensive care more accessible to those in need.