#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:
Updates
November 18, 2015
The silence from the department remains heavy and frustrating but it only confirms that we are challenging a system designed to ignore us. I am fighting through the exhaustion to ensure our message reaches those who refuse to listen. We are not going anywhere until these gaps are finally addressed.
November 18, 2015
Seeing this level of support grow is humbling even when the weight of this fight feels constant. We are finding our rhythm together and I am grateful to have you alongside me for what comes next.
13 Comments
About time we actually started putting money where it counts. NI mental health services are a disgrace. #bridgethegap
Let's bridge the gap people... lets end the stigma & have a society where people regardless of their mental/physical capacity are entitled to equality of services, equality of funding & a chance to be part of a community where they feel included.... #BridgeTheGap
Changes are long overdue.
Support this fully
Go NIAMH
Mental Wellbeing for all #bridgethegap
proud to support- dignity and choice for all
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#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:
Updates
November 18, 2015
The silence from the department remains heavy and frustrating but it only confirms that we are challenging a system designed to ignore us. I am fighting through the exhaustion to ensure our message reaches those who refuse to listen. We are not going anywhere until these gaps are finally addressed.
November 18, 2015
Seeing this level of support grow is humbling even when the weight of this fight feels constant. We are finding our rhythm together and I am grateful to have you alongside me for what comes next.
13 Comments
People with a learning disability are especially vulnerable to mental health problems. We should also highlight the need for early intervention to promote emotional well being and more integrated children's mental health services.
About time we actually started putting money where it counts. NI mental health services are a disgrace. #bridgethegap
Let's bridge the gap people... lets end the stigma & have a society where people regardless of their mental/physical capacity are entitled to equality of services, equality of funding & a chance to be part of a community where they feel included.... #BridgeTheGap
Changes are long overdue.
Support this fully
Go NIAMH
Mental Wellbeing for all #bridgethegap
proud to support- dignity and choice for all
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People with a learning disability are especially vulnerable to mental health problems. We should also highlight the need for early intervention to promote emotional well being and more integrated children's mental health services.