SDLP Ballyarnett councillor Rory Farrell
The Mental Health Strategy was recently published by Health Minister Robin Swann and it sets out the future strategic direction of mental health services in the North of Ireland for the next decade.
It was a key aspect of the New Decade, New Approach deal and will cost £1.2bn to fully implement.
Addressing Council’s Health & Community committee, the Ballyarnett representative said: “The Mental Health Strategy that has now been approved by the Health Minister, it’s comprehensive in nature and it’s ambitious in approach.
“There are 35 key actions in there and if they are all delivered it will transform mental health services and mental health outcomes across the north.
“What’s really useful, but also really concerning, is that the Mental Health Strategy has a funding plan attached to it and it’s envisaged over the ten years that £1.2 billion is going to be required to fund all the elements included in the strategy.
“So, words are important in terms of the strategy, but in our view a dedicated funding model needs to be agreed to make sure that all of the key actions in the Mental Health Strategy are actually delivered. And I think it’s up to all political parties to work together, to cooperate, to make sure that that becomes a reality.
“But I would like to thank Robin Swann for producing this strategy, and all the other stakeholders.
“He’s a minister who has clearly read the New Decade, New Approach document and is taking his commitments contained in it very seriously.”
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