merrion street

Minister McEntee today spoke at the National Mental Health Summit, held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry. This inaugural National Mental Health Summit was a one-day event which included presentations, panel debates and case studies from expert national and international speakers who discussed how mental health services and care can be improved upon in spite of on-going challenges. Topics covered included the prevalence of mental health problems, successes in mental health provision and strategies for improving mental health services.

Drawing from the conference’s title of “A Vision For Change”: 10 Years On…Where are we?”, Minister McEntee spoke of the progress that has been made in mental health area in the past ten years, with particular reference to the advances made in areas such as mental health funding, Child & Adolescent Services and the move from institutions to community services. She also outlined future plans and the continued investment in this area, such as the additional capital funding of over €50 million for the award of the contract for the construction of the new National Forensic Mental Health Hospital in Portrane.

The Minister stated, “I welcome this conference, and the opportunity to reflect and review on our mental health policies and services. While recognizing the progressive policy contained within A Vision for Change, I also acknowledge the need to continue to look forward. To this end, since I became Minister I have commenced a review of a Vision for Change to ensure we carry on this movement in the right direction. Our commitment to progress in this area can also be seen in significant new funding provided for next year for the continued development of a range of child and adult mental health services.”