Advocacy

We are committed to advocating at a national level for a society in which the rights of those suffering from mental illness are acknowledged and in which the stigmatism attached to mental illness is combated.

In line with our Advocacy Strategy, we became an active partner in the See Change national anti-stigma campaign run by the mental health support agency Shine and the Department of Health. Part of that campaign is a series of evening public meetings around the country at which our CEO Paul Gilligan was a regular keynote speaker.

Our own research on the issue of the stigma of mental health revealed some disturbing attitudes and perceptions among the general public, a factor which can cause embarrassment and shame and a reluctance to seek the appropriate supports. To address this issue and increase awareness of mental health, we produce and distribute information leaflets on the subject while also using print and broadcast media interviews to advocate on behalf of sufferers.

We have continued to develop constructive relationships with the relevant authorities such as the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive and the Mental Health Commission. In conjunction with three other organisations, we helped to form the Independent Health Service Providers’ Group, later becoming its representative on the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG) which champions the ‘Vision for Change’ initiative. The Mental Health Commission has recommended that ‘creative ways of involving the independent/private sector in public sector (mental health) projects should be explored’. For our part, we will continue to explore every available avenue in our drive to promote a better public understanding of mental health in Ireland and we have established links with a number of advocacy and service user groups towards this end.