A Mental Health Policy for Everyone
Today (Thursday, 23rd March 2023), Minister of State for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, together with the HSE, are marking the first anniversary of the launch of the implementation plan for ‘Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone 2020 – 2030’.
While the policy will be delivered over a 10-year period, today marks the significant progress that has already been made on some of the recommendations in Sharing the Vision over the last 12 months.
These include developments in areas such digital mental health, mental health clinical programmes and the opening of the National Forensic Mental Health Hospital. Today’s event is an opportunity to celebrate this key milestones in the combined efforts to reform mental health services.
Minister of State for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD said: “I am really pleased to launch this event today, marking the one year anniversary of the publication of the first Implementation Plan for the Sharing the Vision policy. The implementation of this policy is a key priority for me and this is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved in the last year. While all aspects of mental health services are being improved and developed through Sharing the Vision, the establishment of Specialist Groups, has enabled us to focus on some of the key priority areas such as Women’s Mental Health, Acute Bed Capacity and Youth Mental Health.
“Continued investment has allowed us to progress a variety of important mental health initiatives in the last few years. Over €1.2 billion was secured for the overall mental health budget in Budget 2023. I am confident that we can continue to build on the progress made over the past year to move towards realising the vision at the heart of Sharing the Vision and to provide better mental health services for us all.”
Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO said: “This time last year the first of three implementation plans for Sharing the Vision was launched. Our goal then was, and still is, to provide a modern and enhanced mental health service that meets the needs of the entire population. In the last 12 months alone we have seen a huge investment in mental health and while we have a long road ahead in delivering Sharing the Vision I am heartened by the progress that has been made to date, in not only improving our mental health services but in making them more accessible to those that need them.
“Mental Health is everyone’s business and collaboration across the entire health service is key. In my previous role within the HSE I was acutely aware of the need for joined up services. Sharing the Vision is a wonderful example of how the services within the HSE are working together to provide person centred care at all levels. In my role as CEO I am committed to supporting the work being undertaken to ensure that policy becomes practice.’’
Jim Ryan, Head of Operations, HSE Mental Health, and Chair of the HSE Implementation Group (HIG) said: “I have seen first-hand the dedication of our staff working in Mental Health Services who go above and beyond to provide a safe and effective service and who are working with us as we modernise our mental health services. Accountability and ownership are vital for successful implementation and the HSE Implementation Group (HIG) provides a framework for effecting real change.
“In the last 12 months our Policy Implementation Team have established 10 workstreams which will enable us to effectively deliver on all 100 recommendations within Sharing the Vision. We know improvements still need to be made and Sharing the Vision provides a framework in which we can implement real change. Through the HSE Implementation Group (HIG), we will continue to drive the implementation through effective interagency and interdepartmental collaboration.’’
John Saunders, Chair of NIMC Steering Committee said: “The role of the National Implementation and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) is to oversee the long-term implementation of Sharing the Vision. We know the changes that are needed in our mental health services are extensive but we are confident that the implementation of the policy will make a real difference to our service users. As we look ahead to the second year of implementation and the new milestones ahead of us It is important that we mark the progress being made to date.’’
Further information about Sharing the Vision can be found here.
Further information of the NIMC, including minutes of meetings and Sharing the Vision Reports is available here.
Last updated on: 23 / 03 / 2023
