Press Release: Friday 13 December 2024
Interim Chief Medical Officer launches National Mental Health Promotion Plan
The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Mary Horgan, has today launched ‘Pathways to Wellbeing – National Mental Health Promotion Plan’. This is Ireland’s first National Mental Health Promotion Plan, fulfilling a policy commitment set out in both ‘Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone’ and in the ‘Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan’.
The Plan also responds to the need for population level mental health promotion, as demonstrated by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. It seeks to strengthen individuals and the communities where they live while addressing the structural barriers to good mental health at societal level.
Professor Horgan said:
“The National Mental Health Promotion Plan is an important step towards achieving the vision for Healthy Ireland where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential, and where health is valued and supported at every level in society.
“Pathways to Wellbeing is a significant milestone on this journey. There is compelling international evidence that focusing on mental health promotion can have positive effects on wellbeing as well as reducing risk for mental health difficulties. The goals set out in the Plan focus on the key areas which can have a significant impact on promoting mental wellbeing at a population level.”
This Plan was informed by international evidence and provides the foundation for the programme of work that will be required to deliver on the high-level goals and objectives. The next phase is the development of the cross-government implementation plan in 2025.