THE Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney, has today warmly welcomed news that the Department of Health has allocated £60,000 to support the continuation of the Community Crisis Intervention Service in Derry.
The Health Minister Robin Swann announced that funding would be provided from the Department’s Transformation Funds, and will mean the service can delivered for a further six months until the end of March 2021, while other funding options are explored.
The Health Minister met with the Mayor in June along with representatives of Extern, the organisation currently tasked with delivering the CCIS, which provides community-led assistance to the emergency services in responding to potentially vulnerable people in distress.
Minister Swann heard more about the interventions being delivered by Extern which include risk assessment, de-escalation, and identification of personal support options and other appropriate support and treatment services.
At the time funding of £32,400 was allocated to extend the service for a further three months, and the Minister praised the valuable work of the Extern team.
Speaking after the announcement today, Mayor Tierney said the news would be welcomed by the entire community here.
And he said it was timely on World Suicide Prevention Day and in the week that the Public Health Agency launched
“Working Together to Promote Mental Wellbeing’, a joined up regional campaign to promote the 5 steps to Wellbeing.
“I am extremely pleased that the Minister has taken this decision to provide further funding for this invaluable service,” he declared.
“We’re all too aware of the need for additional support for those in crisis and at risk of self-harm here in the North West, particularly during these challenging times, and I welcome this news which will provide a lifeline both for the service and those it supports.
“As a Council we have seen for ourselves the evidence of the impact of the CCIS to date and have given it our full endorsement. T
“o receive this further support from the Health Minister is welcome and in keeping with the priorities outlined in the Mental Health Action Plan for NI, but it is not a solution to secure the long-term future of this service.
“I want to take this opportunity to stress the need for all stakeholders across the health and community sector to recognise the valuable role of Community Crisis Intervention Services in supporting the work being done by our emergency services.
“The CCIS works effectively in tandem with our health professionals, alleviating pressures on the health service, and offering a compassionate and caring service for those in immediate crisis whose needs are currently not being met.
“I urge all our partners across the sector to support the establishment of a permanent service here in the North West and as a Council we will continue to lobby for this support over the coming months,” added Mayor Tierney.
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