Following the Government’s recently announced public health survey, the GSD has issued a statement highlighting issues regarding the design of the survey itself.

A statement from the GSD follows below:

The public health survey, launched on Monday last week, is welcome. There are however shortcomings regarding the  design of the survey itself. 

The GSD appreciates that data gathering is essential to improve services and the quality of life of individuals who suffer  from mental health issues within our community, and to safeguard the human rights of those individuals. But  shortcomings in the data-gathering process may affect the reliability, participation in or depth of the information that  is collated.  

Beyond that the stigma that still, even today, surrounds mental health is further exacerbated by the small size of our  community and compounded by the issues that are unfortunately still being experienced by many service users seeking  treatment for mental health issues in Gibraltar.  

Shadow Minister for Health and Public Health, Joelle Ladislaus MP, said: 

“Basic human rights, such as equality of opportunities in employment, fair and equitable treatment in social situations  and acceptance of individuals for their own selves and not judgment due to their mental health issues will only be  achievable when the stigma surrounding mental health is removed and replaced with compassion and genuine  understanding.  

The initiative behind the survey and indeed the campaign to break down barriers experienced by those with mental  health problems is very welcome, but the survey will not achieve the intended data collection if it is not presented to  the public in a way that is accessible, inoffensive, relevant and clear. Consequently, the current, questionable content  of the survey may not generate sufficient participation, nor inspire the confidence of the public. Indeed a number of  negatives as to the content of the questionnaire have been emphasised by members of the public who have had sight  of the survey but either been unwilling to engage, or unable to due to technical issues. If the campaign to destigmatise  mental health and generating sufficient public engagement to produce a useful bank of information to inform the  improvement of mental health services are the aims, we would urge the Government to reconsider the content and  format of the questionnaire, and its dissemination, lest the survey should be considered mere lip service, which is how  many unfortunately feel.”