Promoting Well Being

In 2003 the DHSSPSNI under the auspices of Investing for Health published Promoting Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan 2003 – 2008.

Why do we need a strategy? There is an increasing recognition that mental health problems have become a major public issue. People in Northern Ireland are at greater risk of mental  ill health than people in England and Scotland. Mental ill health places a heavy burden on individuals, their families and friends and the wider community. As many as 1:6 people will suffer a diagnosable mental health problem at any point in time. The Strategy aims to: Improve people’s mental and emotional well-being Prevent, or reduce the incidence and impact of mental and emotional distress Raise awareness of the determinants of mental and emotional health.

To ensure that all those with a contribution to make are knowledgeable, skilled and aware of effective practice in mental and emotional health promotion. The mental health promotion team comprises of two Senior Health Promotion Officers whose work reflects the 4 key areas of the strategy: Policy development Raising awareness and reducing discrimination Improving knowledge and skills Preventing suicide

This strategy is currently being updated and will be available for consultation by the end of Summer 2010.