Dr Donatella Agius- Psychiatrist

Dr Donatella Agius- Psychiatrist Consultant Psychiatrist with special interest in general adult psychiatry and eating disorders.

Clinics: https://www.google.com/maps/d/editmid=1lgSzO_eiZsqPuMrPk3OVZzZxf4quKpA&ll=36.85037108555352%2C14.454729799999999&z=7

16/05/2026

💙 Supporting someone with an eating disorder can feel overwhelming at times, but please remember — you do not have to do it alone.

Whether you are a parent, family member, carer, or someone working in education, Beat’s online learning platform has been created to give you a safe and supportive space to learn, connect, and share experiences. 🤝

✨ The Hub includes free:
📚 Interactive e-learning modules
🧠 Information about eating disorders and recovery
🎤 Monthly Q&A sessions with clinical advisors
📥 Helpful downloadable resources
💬 Online forums where you can connect with others who truly understand

For those working in schools, the platform is designed to help staff feel more confident when talking to pupils about mental health and recognising early signs of eating disorders. 🏫

School staff are often in a unique position to notice when a young person may be struggling, and early support can make a real difference. 🌱

👇 Live webinar sessions available:

👨‍👩‍👧 Supporting someone in your family?
📅 Wednesday 24th June
🕛 12:00–13:00

🏫 Working in an educational setting with pupils?
📅 Wednesday 24th June
🕓 16:00–17:00

🔗 Click here to access the platform:
https://elearn.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/index.php?

💙 You are not alone, and support is available.

14/05/2026

This message is dedicated to all parents raising children who may experience the world a little differently from what society or schools traditionally expect.

To the parents who often hear difficult feedback about their child, who sometimes feel judged, blamed, or misunderstood because of their child’s behaviour — please remember that neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, and others are nobody’s fault.

As a society, we can sometimes become very focused on structure, routines, behavioural expectations, and academic performance. While these systems are often created with good intentions, they may not always fully accommodate children who learn, communicate, regulate emotions, or express themselves differently.

I also believe it is important to reflect carefully on how quickly energetic or highly active children are sometimes viewed through a clinical lens. Schools and professionals may raise concerns with the child’s best interest at heart, and support or intervention can at times be very valuable. However, recommendations around assessments or medication should always be approached thoughtfully, collaboratively, and on an individual basis.

Not every energetic child has a disorder, and not every child who struggles within a structured school environment necessarily requires medication. Children have different temperaments, personalities, learning styles, strengths, and ways of engaging with the world around them.

Parents can sometimes feel overwhelmed when they repeatedly hear negative feedback or feel pressured into making decisions before they are emotionally ready or fully informed. Alongside support and professional guidance, families also need empathy, patience, understanding, and reassurance.

This message comes not only from my professional experience as a psychiatrist, but also from my personal experience as a mother of three energetic children. Both roles have taught me that every child is unique, and that differences should be approached with compassion rather than judgement.

Sometimes, children are not being “difficult” — they are simply navigating the world in the best way they can. Some may need additional support, while others may simply need more movement, flexibility, encouragement, emotional safety, or an environment better suited to their individual needs.

Every child deserves to be understood before they are labelled.

A little more understanding can make a very big difference.

14/05/2026

Dan il-messaġġ huwa ddedikat lill-ġenituri kollha li qed irabbu tfal li forsi jesperjenzaw id-dinja b’mod differenti minn dak li s-soċjetà jew is-sistema edukattiva tradizzjonalment tistenna.

Lil dawk il-ġenituri li spiss jisimgħu kummenti diffiċli dwar it-tifel jew it-tifla tagħhom, li xi kultant iħossuhom iġġudikati, akkużati jew mifhuma ħażin minħabba l-imġiba ta’ wliedhom — ftakru li kundizzjonijiet bħal ADHD, ASD, dyslexia u oħrajn mhumiex tort ta’ ħadd.

Bħala soċjetà, kultant insiru ffukati wisq fuq struttura, regoli, aspettattivi ta’ mġiba u prestazzjoni akkademika. Għalkemm dawn is-sistemi ħafna drabi jinħolqu b’intenzjonijiet tajbin, mhux dejjem jirnexxielhom jakkomodaw tfal li jitgħallmu, jikkomunikaw, jirregolaw l-emozzjonijiet jew jesprimu lilhom infushom b’mod differenti.

Nemmen ukoll li huwa importanti nirriflettu sew dwar kemm kultant tfal enerġetiċi jew attivi ħafna jiġu meqjusa malajr minn lenti klinika. L-iskejjel u l-professjonisti jistgħu jqajmu tħassib bl-aħjar interess tat-tfal f’moħħhom, u xi drabi s-support jew intervent professjonali jista’ jkun ta’ għajnuna kbira. Madankollu, rakkomandazzjonijiet dwar assessjar jew mediċina għandhom dejjem jiġu kkunsidrati b’attenzjoni, b’kollaborazzjoni u skont il-bżonnijiet individwali tat-tifel jew tat-tifla.

Mhux kull tifel enerġetiku għandu kundizzjoni, u mhux kull tifel li jsib diffikultà f’ambjent skolastiku strutturat neċessarjament għandu bżonn mediċina. It-tfal għandhom temperament differenti, personalitajiet differenti, stili differenti ta’ tagħlim, saħħiet differenti u modi differenti kif jinteraġixxu mad-dinja ta’ madwarhom.

Il-ġenituri xi kultant jistgħu jħossuhom mweġġgħin meta kontinwament jisimgħu feedback negattiv jew iħossuhom ippressati biex jieħdu deċiżjonijiet qabel ma jkunu emozzjonalment lesti jew infurmati biżżejjed. Flimkien mas-support u l-gwida professjonali, il-familji għandhom bżonn ukoll empatija, paċenzja, fehim u serħan il-moħħ.

Dan il-messaġġ ġej mhux biss mill-esperjenza professjonali tiegħi bħala psikjatra, iżda wkoll mill-esperjenza personali tiegħi bħala omm ta’ tlett itfal enerġetiċi. Dawn iż-żewġ rwoli għallmuni li kull tifel u tifla huma uniċi, u li d-differenzi għandhom jiġu milqugħa b’kompassjoni aktar milli b’ġudizzju.

Xi kultant, it-tfal mhumiex “diffiċli” — sempliċement qed jippruvaw jinnavigaw id-dinja bl-aħjar mod li jistgħu. Xi wħud jistgħu jkollhom bżonn support addizzjonali, filwaqt li oħrajn jistgħu sempliċement ikollhom bżonn aktar moviment, flessibbiltà, inkoraġġiment, sigurtà emozzjonali jew ambjent aktar adattat għall-bżonnijiet tagħhom.

Kull tifel u tifla jistħoqqilhom li jiġu mifhuma qabel ma jiġu labelled.

Ftit aktar kompassjoni u flessibilta jista’ jagħmel differenza kbira.

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers in every form. 💐

Today, we celebrate not only mothers who gave birth, but also mothers through adoption, foster care, stepmothers, grandmothers, mothers-to-be, those who nurture animals with unconditional love, and every person who cares, protects, comforts, and loves with a mother’s heart.

Motherhood is not defined by biology alone — it is found in kindness, patience, sacrifice, resilience, and the quiet moments of showing up for others day after day- the unconditional love.

To those who are celebrating today, may you feel appreciated and loved.
To those who find today difficult, whether through loss, longing, distance, or grief, please be gentle with yourselves and know that your feelings are valid.

And finally, a very special Happy Mother’s Day to my hero — my mum Pauline Gauci— whose strength, love, guidance and your selfless attitude continue to inspire me every single day. We love you a lot❤️

‼️Some food for thought….‼️At this time of year, sadly and as expected, we often hear about an increase in su***des. The...
09/01/2026

‼️Some food for thought….‼️

At this time of year, sadly and as expected, we often hear about an increase in su***des. The festive season and the start of a new year can bring added distress for those who feel alone, are struggling financially, or are living with medical or mental health conditions that make it hard to experience this period in the way society seems to expect.

While social media can be helpful in many ways, it can also add to this pressure. Constant exposure to “perfect” images, expensive products, and people showing only their best moments can leave others feeling inadequate or left behind. For many, this constant bombardment does not help.

Sadly, we cannot prevent all su***des. However, we can do our our best to prevent as many as possible! I am writing this message for anyone who may be suffering in silence right now: ⚠️ please seek help. You are not weak, and you are not a burden.

If you are in Malta, please be aware of the free emergency services available:
📞 1579 or 112
There is also a FREE 24/7 psychiatric service available at Mater Dei Hospital.

We must continue to challenge the stigma around seeking help and accepting treatment. Evidence-based treatment does not turn people into “zombies” and does not cause addiction when used appropriately. It can save lives.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest support and sympathy to all families who have recently lost a loved one to su***de. It is a devastating loss, and my thoughts are with you during this incredibly painful time.

You are not alone. Help is available.

To everyone out there fighting their own hidden battles—remember, every time we fall, we rise even stronger.
04/01/2026

To everyone out there fighting their own hidden battles—remember, every time we fall, we rise even stronger.

✨ Is-Sena t-Tajba lil kulħadd ✨🎉Hekk kif nidħlu f’sena ġdida, nixtieq naqsam dan magħkom mill-qalb ❤️Ipprovaw agħżlu s-s...
01/01/2026

✨ Is-Sena t-Tajba lil kulħadd ✨🎉

Hekk kif nidħlu f’sena ġdida, nixtieq naqsam dan magħkom mill-qalb ❤️

Ipprovaw agħżlu s-sempliċità 🌿. Il-ħajja diġà mimlija pressjoni u ġirja kontra l-ħin — m’hemmx għalfejn nagħmluha iktar tqila billi noħolqu aspettattivi jew affarijiet li fil-verità mhumiex inportanti.

Ħudu ħsieb is-saħħa mentali tagħkom 🧠💛. Hija importanti daqs is-saħħa fiżika, u s-saħħa tagħkom għandha dejjem tiġi l-ewwel — qabel kollox.

Ħu ftit ħin biex tapprezza dak li diġà għandek 🙏. Il-mumenti żgħar, is-saħħa, u l-progress li għamiltu — anke fil-jiem li kienu diffiċli.

Jekk ċerti relazzjonijiet jġiegħluk tħossok anzjuz jew mhux biżżejjed, hu tajjeb li tieħu pass lura jew titbiegħed 🚶‍♀️✨. Li tipproteġi l-paċi tiegħek mhix egoiżmu — hija bżonn.

U jekk qed tħossok qed tissielet, ftakar f’dan: m’għandekx għalfejn tgħaddi minn dan kollu waħdek 🤝💬. Li tfittex l-għajnuna huwa sinjal ta’ saħħa, mhux ta’ dgħufija, u l-appoġġ jista’ jagħmel differenza kbira.

Kun ġentili miegħek innifsek din is-sena 💫
Pass wara pass… u kull wieħef huwa biżżejjed 🌱

Nawguralkom sena iktar kalma, aktar saħħa u aktar mimlija ġentilezza 💛✨

✨ Happy New Year everyone ✨🎉As we step into a new year, I just want to share this from the heart ❤️Please try to choose ...
01/01/2026

✨ Happy New Year everyone ✨🎉

As we step into a new year, I just want to share this from the heart ❤️

Please try to choose simplicity 🌿. Life is already busy and demanding — we don’t need to make it heavier by carrying pressure, expectations, or worries that truly don’t matter.

Look after your mental health 🧠💛. It is just as important as your physical health, and your well-being always comes first — before achievements, deadlines, or trying to please everyone.

Take time to appreciate what you already have 🙏. The small moments, the strength you’ve shown, the progress you’ve made — even on days that felt hard.

If certain relationships leave you feeling drained, anxious, or not good enough, it’s okay to step back or let go 🚶‍♀️✨. Protecting your peace is not selfish — it’s necessary.

And if you’re struggling, please remember: you don’t have to do this alone 🤝💬. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and support can truly make a difference.

Be gentle with yourself this year 💫
One step at a time is enough 🌱

Wishing you a calmer, healthier, and kinder year ahead 💛✨

10/10/2025

Mental Health Day 💚💚💚

03/09/2025

Nixtieq infakkar li l-ansjetà mhijiex dgħufija. Ħafna nies iwaħħlu fihom infushom talli jkunu qed iħossuhom anzjużi, bħallikieku kien xi falliment personali. M'huwiex!

L-ansjetà mhijiex xi difett li għandu jinħeba jew xi għadu li għandu jiġi miġġieled u missielet. L-ansjetà qed tikkomunika xi ħaġa magħna. L-ansjetà twissina li qed nesperjenzaw xi ħaġa li qed tinkwetana, li qed iġġiegħelna nħossuna taħt pressjoni jew li qed nitilfu l-kontroll.

Huwa l-mod kif ġisimna u moħħna jgħidulna: "Ieqaf. Isma' lilek innifsek. Ixtarr. Hemm xi ħaġa li teħtieġ l-attenzjoni tiegħek."

Ma nistgħux sempliċement "nitfu" l-ansjetà.
Madankollu, nistgħu nitgħallmu kif strateġikament nilqgħuha u kif nimmaniġġjawha mingħajr ma niġġudikawha.
Nistgħu nistaqsu lilna nfusna domandi bħal ngħidu aħna: X'qed tgħidli? X'qed tgħidli fuq ħajti? X'qed tgħidli fuq l-għażliet tiegħi? Minn fejn ġejja din it-tensjoni?

Spiss, li nitkellmu dwar dak li nkunu qegħdin inħossu u nesperjenzaw huwa l-ewwel pass. Pass importanti ferm. Li nisimgħu x'qegħdin jgħidulna moħħna u ġisimna huwa l-ewwel pass lejn il-fejqan - l-immaniġġjar tal-ansjetà tagħna.

Kuraġġ mill-qalb!

21/08/2025

🎂✨ Another year has flown by! And let’s be honest, many of us (myself included 🙋🏻‍♀️) tend to grumble about getting older—especially now that I’m officially approaching the “middle ages” era 😅.

But this year, I’ve decided to take a positive outlook and see this birthday as an achievement. It’s been a year full of lessons 📚, hurdles ⛰️, and milestones 🏆. Most importantly, I’ve learnt how to respect and love myself as I am 💙.

As a psychiatrist 🧠, I always talk about the importance of taking care of our mental health—not just through holidays ✈️, sleep 😴, or breaks ☕—but also by setting boundaries 🚧, respecting ourselves ❤️, and not tolerating disrespect 🚫. To truly help others in my work, I need to take care of myself first.

This year, I made myself proud 🙌. I reached personal goals that, as a woman 👩 and mother of three , I once thought were “not for me” because society often says, “that’s a man’s job.” Well… I proved that if I want it, it’s my job too 💪😉 and you can do it too!

A big thank you to my husband Gabriel Agius and my parents Pauline Gauci and Andrew Gauci without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. And yes, even thank you to those who didn’t believe in me—you gave me the fire 🔥 to keep going.

Thank you everyone for your lovely wishes 🎉💌. Today, I’ll rest 🛋️—so that tomorrow, I can go back to doing what I love most: helping people 🤝💙.

Address

Tarxien

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00
Friday 09:00 - 18:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+35679202431

Website

https://willingness.com.mt/, https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1nrD1rHlf-e38Ke_W46_

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