Dear Supporter,
As 2019 draws to a close, we are taking a look at some of the key highlights of the work done on improving mental health services and supports for everyone in Ireland.
Our most sincere thank you for your support throughout the year and we look forward to continuing to make positive steps for mental health in 2020.
We hope you enjoy taking a trip down memory lane.
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Mental health is 24/7. Mental health services are not.
Following on from our national campaign for 24/7 crisis mental health services, the HSE made a commitment towards providing 7/7 crisis supports for children and young people in Ireland. MHR will continue to monitor this progress.
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This year saw the 13th anniversary of the national mental health policy, A Vision For Change.
MHR called on the Government to learn from the past and to commit to a costed implementation plan for the updated policy which is due to be published in the new year.
Read more here.
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MHR published the My Voice Matters reports, the national consultation with service users and family, friends, carers and supporters on mental health services.
The reports show people with mental health difficulties and their families are not receiving services in line with national policy.
Read more here.
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This year, Mental Health Reform undertook a project in the Midwest to support the reform of the local mental health services. Campaign plans have been developed, following on from public meetings about local services, and we look forward to kicking these off in the new year.
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People cannot wait any longer to have their rights protected.
MHR led the call for the Government to update Ireland's mental health law so that people's rights are protected when in hospital for mental health care. Progress was made this year, when the Department of Health sent draft legislation to the Mental Health Commission for review.
Read more here.
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Mental Health Reform and the Union of Students in Ireland hosted a seminar in June which explored the possibilities and implications that technology has for supporting student’s mental health in third level education.
Read more here.
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Currently, involuntary mental health patients are the only group in Ireland who are excluded under law from having their Advance Healthcare Directives fulfilled. The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed to second stage in the Oireachtas, getting closer to ensuring involuntary patients have their advance wishes and preferences respected.
Read more here.
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MHR were delighted to welcome more organisations to the national coalition for mental health in Ireland. This brings the coalition to a total of 77 members - making our voice even louder in the call to improve mental health services and supports for everyone in Ireland.
Read more here.
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MHR's annual Pre-Budget campaign calls on the Government to invest in mental health.
Following on from the Budget 2020 announcement, MHR found that there will be another successive year when mental health gets a lower proportion of the overall health budget.
Read more here.
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Two years on from the publication of the Report of the Taskforce on Youth Mental Health, a group of advocates have called for the report’s recommendations to be implemented in full to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Ireland and help to address Ireland’s mental health crisis.
Read more here.
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Wishing you very Happy Holidays,
Shari McDaid
CEO
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