- Minister Butler reminds people on World Mental Health Day to protect their mental health and to seek help if needed
Today the Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, marks World Mental Health Day 2024.
Today, and indeed World Mental Health Month for October, shines a spotlight on mental health. It provides further opportunities to raise awareness of mental health, reduce mental health stigma and promote the broad range of services and supports available to people in communities across the country.
Record investment in mental health services over the past number of years has allowed for the development and expansion of new models of care and National Clinical Programmes, including for crisis resolution, dual diagnosis, and for new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) hubs.
In highlighting World Mental Health Day Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler said:
“The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Mental Health at Work’, and I want to highlight how important it is that we ensure that we foster workplaces that are supportive and free of mental health stigma. By doing this we can all support those who may have mental health difficulties to find work, to remain in work, and benefit from the fulfilment, well-being and sense of purpose that can come with employment.
“I firmly believe that mental health is everyone’s business, and that is why cross-government collaboration and wider societal action are key to ensuring that we support workers and their employers to create workplaces where mental health is prioritised.
“That is why I am proud to support excellent initiatives such as the Individual Placement Support (IPS), an internationally recognised, evidence-based programme to support people with mental health challenges returning to or commencing work. This programme is operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Office for Mental Health Engagement and Recovery, which I am pleased to say has received significant additional funding in this year’s Budget for peer support workers and recovery coordinators, to place the idea of recovery at the heart of the services that we provide.”
Sustained strategic improvement of mental health services continue through the implementation of Ireland’s mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, and suicide reduction policy, Connecting for Life.
Reflecting on the importance of people protecting their mental health, Minister Butler added:
“Every single person in Ireland has a part to play in breaking down stigma around mental health, and creating an environment where people feel empowered, informed and able to seek out the help that is out there, should they need it.
“Anyone can experience mental health challenges at any time during their lives, and that is why I want to repeat the vital message that so often goes unsaid, that recovery can and is possible.
“If any person is feeling pressure, I encourage them to reach out for help. There are a wide range of high-quality mental health supports available in Ireland, through the HSE or the many agencies providing care on its behalf.”
The best way to find out what supports would best suit someone is through their GP, or via information signposting such as:
- Online at YourMentalHealth.ie which provides information and signposting on all mental health supports and services that are available nationally and locally provided by the HSE and its funded partners.
- Freephone Your Mental Health Information Line is available 24 hours to find supports and services (1800 111 888).
- Text HELLO to 50808. The service provides emotional support 24 hours a day to anyone experiencing a crisis through engagement in a text message “conversation” with a trained and supervised volunteer.
