The review and development of a new strategy is being undertaken by a small task group under the chairmanship of Professor Alan Ferguson OBE, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health.
Dr McBride said: “We need to learn to look after our mental health in the same manner as we do with our physical health. That means taking positive action to maintain good mental health and emotional wellbeing.
“To encourage this approach, attitudes to mental health and wellbeing have to change. Unfortunately there has been a long standing culture in Northern Ireland where people do not feel comfortable with opening up and discussing their emotional wellbeing.
“But mental health worries and problems can affect any of us at any time and it is nothing we should ever try to hide.”
He added: “There has been much good work by people in the health and social care, and in the voluntary and community sectors.
“The Minister and Department intend to build on this and to focus more on improving people’s emotional wellbeing rather than just treating mental health problems when they occur. The aim is to make people more able to cope with life’s problems in a positive way.
“The new strategy will set out the way forward for achieving this aim.”
Notes to Editors:
- The new Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy will run in parallel with the Suicide Prevention Strategy, “Protect Life – A Shared Vision”.
- Its aim will be to develop a population-based approach to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, drawing on the international evidence base and effective interventions.
- A Strategy Development Group is taking this work forward. This group comprises representatives from the health and education sectors, and from the voluntary and community sectors. Internationally renowned experts in the field of mental health promotion will advise on the development of the new strategy.
- Professor Alan Ferguson OBE chaired the expert committee which produced the Mental Health and Wellbeing Report as part of the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability.
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