Caritas Malta - Et Iris Female Therapeutic Community

Caritas Malta was founded in 1968 and is a Catholic organization with a mission to care for individuals in times of difficulty. Using Catholic teaching, they walk with individuals in their journeys of recovery. Their prison inmate programme (PIP) is located in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, and is tailored for inmates struggling with substance use. Individuals who participate in this programme are granted supervised prison leave. This program is for men only but women inmates can participate through the Et Iris programme. Et Iris is located in the San Blas facility and this residential programme typically spans 8 months. The program is split into 3 phases. The first phase, which spans 3 months includes many meetings, support sessions, and life skill groups. This phase focuses on fostering a sense of belonging and support. The second phase spans another 3 months and focuses on personal growth, social skills development, self-awareness, and spiritual exploration. The last phase is 2 months and helps residents reintegrate into society.

After successfully completing the Et Iris Programme, women can transition into the re-entry phase at Dar Charles Michelli. Through this location, Caritas Malta offers semi-residential services and individuals are welcome to stop by or call 24/7 for support. They also offer engaging activities to help promote a sense of community and belonging.

For individuals needing a step down from residential care, Caritas Malta offers an evening programme, which combines individual and group therapy. It focuses on relapse prevention and life skills and covers topics such as codependency, gambling, self-esteem, and anger management. They also provide assistance with legal issues, health concerns, and employment support. In addition, they offer Gamblers Anonymous, GamAnon (for family members), and Alcoholics Anonymous groups.