THE SDLP’s Mark H Durkan has welcomed the establishment of an Executive working group on mental well-being and resilience.
And he also a specific task force set to deal with mental health issues in the North West.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I warmly welcome the united, cross-party commitment to tackling our mental health crisis here, following a special meeting of the Executive around the planning of public services.
“This is a badly and sadly needed taskforce and whilst long overdue, this is a positive step in the right direction.
“Mental health is an issue that affects people in all walks of life, right across the North.
“It is too complex and broad to fall to one Minister or department; it must be a priority right across government.
“The entire Executive has committed to making suicide prevention, mental well-being and resilience a government priority.
“That commitment must also make its way to our schools, by way of making mental health and well-being teaching a mandatory component within the curriculum.
“The crucial investment required to continue Crisis Intervention Centres is something I intend to pursue with Health Minister Robin Swann.
“Particularly in Derry where such the service has proved a lifeline for so many – those integral support hubs must be protected.”
Mr Durkan added: “Something which I will also revisit is the need for a North West specific suicide taskforce – ideally constituted of a number of statutory agencies as well as community and voluntary sector organisations.
“And whilst I acknowledge that talks at an Executive level are part and parcel of the process, we need to progress beyond talking shops.
“We must ensure these action plans have legs, that their benefits and real tangible change is felt within our communities, by individuals and their loved ones.”
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