 | Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health Launches Landmark Report into the Future of Mental Health Provision in Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (Niamh) has launched a much-praised landmark report to provide advice and strategic direction for the future promotion of mental wellbeing in Northern Ireland. The report, entitled: A Flourishing Society - Aspirations for Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Northern Ireland, was commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride, to act as a blueprint for the future development of mental health promotion and prevention in Northern Ireland. A vision for the future of mental health in Northern Ireland
Chief Executive of Niamh, Professor Alan Ferguson OBE, said: “This is a timely report which sets out a vision for the future of mental health in Northern Ireland. It shifts the emphasis from dealing with mental illness to encouraging mental wellbeing and resilience in all sectors of our community for all our citizens”.
“We are all too aware that government and society are facing financial constraints at the moment, however, given that mental illness currently costs our local economy nearly £3 billion per year, the recommendations in Niamh’s report emphasise the huge economic benefits to promoting mental wellbeing through robust, strategic and multi-agency approaches." Positive mental health is crucial to our quality of life
Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Michael McGimpsey said: "Positive mental health is crucial to our quality of life at individual, family and community level. I congratulate Niamh on producing this thought provoking report. It presents innovative and challenging proposals for improving the mental health and wellbeing of our population. The findings and recommendations contained in the report are already informing the development of my Department's new Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy." The report, compiled by Compass led by Dr Gerry Leavey assisted by Dr Karen Galway, Janeet Rondon and Graham Logan, undertook a comprehensive review of Northern Ireland’s existing Mental Health Promotion Strategy 2003-08, the Protect Life Suicide Strategy and the Mental Health Improvement and Wellbeing Report of the Bamford Review. Preventative and pre-emptive measures benefit to the whole of society
Dr Leavey said: “One of the key messages of this report is that to achieve a flourishing society in Northern Ireland mental wellbeing needs coherence and organisation. The way forward for mental health in Northern Ireland is not just about helping people when they become ill but also preventing illness and improving mental wellbeing for everyone. There must, of course, be targeted strategies for those on the margins of society, people suffering from social isolation and the impact of inequalities but what this report clearly shows is that there are huge benefits to the whole of our society through a preventative, pre-emptive, whole population approach which is relevant at all stages of an individual’s life’s course.” While there are extensive mental health promotion activities across Northern Ireland, one of the key findings of the report identify is the need for a consolidation of these efforts which are currently fragmented and inconsistent and therefore their effectiveness is difficult to quantify and evaluate. Investment in a healthy start in life pays dividends
The report also highlights that investment in a healthy start in life can pay dividends in terms of adult mental wellbeing. Positive and engaged parenting can increase a child’s self-esteem, their social and academic competence and protect against later destructive and disruptive behaviour. Niamh’s report shows that this proactive approach through whole-school strategies which engage students, teachers and parents through both curriculum and policy is more effective than short-term interventions focussed on specific topics such as bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, self harm and suicide. For example, in the workplace there tends to be too much emphasis on individual sickness and discipline rather than creating healthy environments and practices. It suggests that government support is required for smaller enterprise to be able to access business-led information and advice to create a healthier workplace. Collective responsibility required
Chief Executive of Niamh, Professor Alan Ferguson OBE, said: “The strategies proposed by Niamh require collective responsibility and proactive action from all branches of government and all areas of society from the education system, the business community, trade unions, the voluntary sector, local communities and importantly collective leadership and action from the Northern Ireland Executive. Print this page >
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