The Mental Health Engagement and Recovery Office (MHER) was established in 2019 by the coming together of the Advancing Recovery Ireland project (ARI) and the Mental Health Engagement Office (MHE). ARI and MHE were the initial drivers of cultural change for the recovery approach. MHER is working to support this continuing process of change in mental health services, towards services that recognise that recovery is about individuals achieving a full life of their own choosing building on strengths and realising goals, regardless of the presence of mental health difficulties, and such a life is possible for everyone.
The MHER Office is part of the Health Service Executive (HSE) Mental Health Community Operations team. The larger team has responsibility for all mental health services including:
- Area-based mental health services (i.e., approved in-patient residential centres and all community-based teams)
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health, General Adult Mental Health and Psychiatry of Later Life
- National Forensic Mental Health Service
- National Counselling Service
- Sharing the Vision Implementation
The work of the MHER Office itself is focused on guidance and support for recovery approaches and meaningful engagement. MHER is guided by the national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision- a mental health policy for everyone (2020-2030), and the Sláintecare Action Plan which emphasises the importance of engagement. MHER’s work plan is part of the annual National Mental Health Service Plan. MHER is also guided by the National Framework for Recovery, a new version of which will be published by the Office in 2024. The Office complements the Mental Health Commission Quality Framework by offering support and guidance to mental health services about the recovery approach.
The MHER Office seeks to ensure that the voice of lived experience and staff inform mental health services. Its work is driven by its strategic plan 2023-2026.
MHER Strategic Plan - Engaged in Recovery (PDF, size 1.8 MB, 36 pages)
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