The AX Foundation is proud to announce Mel McElhatton as the recipient of the 4th Edition of the AX Ability Award, an award given by AX Foundation in recognition of the journey made by people with invisible challenges towards achieving success in their lives, and the lives of others. The AX Ability Award encourages people whose journeys inspire others facing similar challenges, while also recognising those who have worked tirelessly to advance the rights, wellbeing and inclusion of persons with invisible disabilities. This year’s winner was selected from four highly deserving nominations, carefully evaluated by the AX Foundation Board.
Who is Mel McElhatton? Mel graduated in social work from the University of Malta in 2016 and has a Master’s Degree in Psychotherapy from the Gestalt Pschotherapy Training Institute Malta. Mel is a mental health specialist, a Gestalt Psychotherapist, an Addiction Expert and a trainer in well being and neurodiversity including autism, ADHD, anxiety and depression. Mel is also one of the founders and activists within the Autistic Community Malta (ACM), Malta’s first autistic-led NGO.
Beyond clinical work, Mel has held several leadership roles within JCI Malta, including National President, where they championed accessibility, diversity, and youth empowerment. They are also a founder and activist of Autistic Community Malta, Malta’s first autistic-led NGO, and have contributed to national initiatives through collaborations with the Ministry for Inclusion and the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Earlier this year, Mel was a workshop leader and panellist at the first National Autism Conference, held at AX The Palace.
Looking ahead, the AX Foundation looks forward to working more closely with Mel, who—together with Ms Margaret White—envisions the development of specific autism-informed psychotherapy services in Malta, a vision the Foundation is committed to supporting.
