US health panel recommends routine anxiety screenings for adults – should Malta consider this?

Sep 22 2022

A professional health panel in the United States has recommended that all adults under 65 years of age are regularly screened for anxiety.

This suggestion comes in light of the reported ‘extraordinary increase’ in stress levels within the United States, which effects have also been seen all across Europe and even in Malta.

The screenings were suggested to attempt to prevent medical disorders going untreated or undetected for several years with clinical psychologist and professor Lori Pbert highlighting that the need for such an exercise is critical amid the United States’ mental health crisis.

A recent study conducted in Malta by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ shows how youths aged between 13 to 18 suffer from mental issues most following the pandemic.

Meanwhile, data collected in the third edition of the Employee Well-Being at the Workplace survey shows that work-related mental health issues shot up from 63% to 79% between 2021 and 2021, with 72% of employees never discussing such issues with their superiors.

#MaltaDaily

Malta’s own Haley Bugeja becomes Orlando Pride’s youngest player ever after US soccer debut

Sep 22 2022

Maltese star striker Haley Bugeja has become Orlando Pride’s youngest player to ever feature for them in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), after making her much anticipated debut against North Carolina Courage.

Bugeja managed to play a total of 20 minutes as her team were losing 3-0 to their close rivals the Courage. The Pride currently sit in 9th place with 21 points from 20 matches. It has not been the best season for Orlando considering the players they possess but they will now gear up for a better, more fruitful upcoming season.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Orlando Pride (@orlpride)

Her debut also means that she is the fourth youngest ever player to play in the NWSL, one of the largest women’s football leagues in the world.

The league is widely regarded as the best leagues in the world when it comes to the women’s side of the game, narrowly beating out the English and French leagues in terms of quality.

Unlike most leagues in the world which have just begun the NWSL season is already nearing its end with only the final two matches remaining for the Pride. Bugeja will be hoping for a fresh start next season in order to show the world her immense quality and again put Maltese football in the spotlight.

#MaltaDaily

Met Office issues wind warning with thundery showers expected today

Sep 22 2022

Malta’s Meteorological Office has issued a wind warning for today, with strong East-to-Southeast winds expected to blast over Malta for the remainder of the day.

The warning remains in place until 8pm, with the Met Office also forecasting cloudy skies and thundery showers during the remainder of the day.

Meanwhile, local Facebook weather page ‘Malta Weather’ expects moderate winds with isolate rain showers and thunder across Malta and Gozo, with other page ‘It-Temp Madwarna’ corroborating the forecast with its own.

Temperatures are expected to drop to 20°C later today.

#MaltaDaily

Lydia Abela pushes for sustainable fashion industry in New York

Sep 21 2022

Attending a recent fashion event in New York, USA, Lydia Abela highlighted the importance of sustainable and environmental awareness being at the centre of the fashion industry.

Attending the event whilst her husband, Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela, fulfils his duties at the 77th United Nations’ General Assembly, Lydia Abela took the opportunity to speak about how the future of fashion lies in sustainable creativity.

Posting a statement on social media, Abela said that she wanted to focus on two very specific and important themes during her address: the social and the environmental.

‘In the social sector, we need to continue working in a global context to improve the conditions of work, especially in the fashion industry itself.’

‘From the environmental aspect, we need to intensify our work to raise more awareness in our kids and the future generations about the importance of the environment of not just today, but of our future.

#MaltaDaily