Health Minister Robin Swann has announced that his Department has commenced the process to appoint a new Mental Health Champion.https://t.co/M3LWZWJo92 pic.twitter.com/kH4iRGF87t
— Department of Health (@healthdpt) April 27, 2020
Action Mental Health warmly welcome the announcement of plans to appoint a Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland.
David Babington, Chief Executive commented ‘This is something that Action Mental Health and our partners in the Together For You partnership have long campaigned for. We all know the very specific challenges that Northern Ireland faces in relation to rates of mental illness and suicide.
It is our hope that the new Mental Health Champion can work across Government and the statutory agencies and alongside the community and voluntary sector to ensure we have a joined up approach to tackling these issues and really start to ensure parity for mental health in Northern Ireland.
The challenges caused by the current Covid-19 pandemic only serve to remind us of the need for urgent action, the first task for our new Mental Health champion must be to secure a fully funded and properly resourced mental health strategy for Northern Ireland, one that recognises and addresses all the challenges we face including those arising from Covid-19.’
Action Mental Health have been campaigning for many years for a Mental Health Champion – you can find links below, which highlight the journey to the Health Minister’s announcement.
24/2/16
26/6/17
AMH welcomes extra funding for mental health in DUP/Conservative Party Deal
Picture by Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire
21/6/19
10/1/20
