The Ministry for Social Policy, in collaboration with the Ministry for Education, is developing the Children’s Policy Framework 2024–2030, aimed at strengthening investment in the mental health and well-being of children and young people.
The initiative underscores a commitment to ensuring that children’s voices are heard and their experiences better understood, while promoting timely and responsible support systems. As part of this effort, a national study is currently underway to assess the mental health challenges faced by children across Malta.
A pilot project linked to this initiative has been launched at San Ġwann Primary School, where the QT Robot has been introduced as an interactive educational tool. The robot will act as a mascot and ambassador for children’s mental health, delivering presentations that encourage awareness and discussion among students. The project is expected to expand to more schools nationwide.
During a visit on Monday, Michael Falzon and Clifton Grima met with students and spoke about the importance of mental health, empathy, and peer support.
Minister Falzon emphasized that the QT Robot is not intended to replace human interaction or provide diagnoses or counselling. He explained that the initiative forms part of a broader mental health toolkit, currently in its initial phase, which will guide discussions in the coming months before a final version is developed with input from children and professionals.
Minister Grima highlighted the importance of prioritising children’s mental health as a foundation for development, stating that educational environments must continue to promote well-being, empathy, and resilience. He described the project as a step toward building a system that better understands and supports the needs of students.
