#BridgeTheGap for mental health and learning disability in the next Programme for Government

Niamh is a charity that works to support people living with mental ill health or learning disability and to promote positive mental wellbeing for all.

Mental ill health affects 1 in 4 people in Northern Ireland every year with rates estimated to be 25% higher in Northern Ireland than elsewhere in the UK, whilst we spend less per head on mental health than the rest of the UK.

People living with mental ill health or learning disability in Northern Ireland are subject to a multitude of ‘gaps’ that are unfair, unjust and unacceptable, including inequalities in access to services, health outcomes and service funding. This is coupled with high levels of social stigma that limits on people’s freedom to live life to the full and to have their voice heard.

The impact of mental wellbeing reaches far beyond health into all areas of society, from education to employment, from youth to old age, from cities to rural communities. To protect and promote the health, wellbeing and prosperity of our society as a whole, we urgently need to prioritize mental health prevention, resilience and recovery and everyone has a role to play.

We at Niamh are calling on the next government to #BridgeTheGap to improve the lives of individuals affected by mental ill health or learning disability and support the positive wellbeing of all through making 5 commitments:

1. Fair Funding

Ensure fair funding for mental health and learning disability by committing to real increase in funding for mental health and learning disability services over the life of the next programme for government.

2. Community based services

Ensure accessible-to-all, person-centred, recovery led services by committing to a real shift to community-based mental health services offering prevention and crisis care with liaison psychiatry services available 24/7.

3. Promote Resilience

Proactively promote mental wellbeing by committing to improvements in mental health prevention and implementing a regional wellbeing and resilience strategy supported by funding for a resilience centre with a regional network of services.

4. Delivery of quality services

Ensure delivery of quality of services for people with mental ill health and learning disability based on increased independence and inclusion by investing in lived experience, service user involvement and quality assured advocacy.

5. Anti-stigma

Improve the lives of people with mental ill health and learning disability by committing to reducing stigma and discrimination and supporting the upcoming 'Change Your Mind' anti-stigma campaign.

With clear commitments from decision-makers and society as a whole we can stop mental health and learning disability falling through the gaps and improve the lives of everyone living in our society. So please show your support by signing this petition and help us #BridgeTheGap

To view our manifesto please visit:

http://www.niamhwellbeing.org/-Campaigns/Together-...