Reflections on the Past and Aspirations for the Future
Mental Health Reform celebrated its 10th anniversary at a half-day hybrid conference in Wood Quay, Dublin on Thursday, 31st March 2022.
This conference explored the biggest mental health challenges facing Ireland today, and the opportunities for change. Attendees heard from leaders, policy-makers and activists who discussed key developments in mental health and aspirations for the future.
MHR also launched a new report at the conference as part of the Brave New Connections project, an initiative supporting capacity-building for Voluntary and Community Sector mental health organisations adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Titled ‘Resetting the Non-Profit Voluntary and Community Mental Health Sector After the Pandemic’, the report presents a structured profiling of the nature and volume of the services and supports provided by the non-profit mental healthcare sector. This provides new insights, evidence, and perspectives that can inform current efforts to develop the Irish mental healthcare system and achieve the policy objectives of Sharing the Vision, Connecting for Life, Healthy Ireland, and Sláintecare.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the speakers and moderators who took part in the conference including:
- Mary Butler, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People
- Dil Wickremasinghe, Broadcaster and Journalist
- Dr Eddie Molloy, Director, Advanced Organisation and Former Chairperson, Mental Health Reform
- Robert McCafferty, Mental Health Activist and Board Member, Mental Health Reform
- Caroline McGrath, Barrister and Former CEO, Mental Health Reform
- John Saunders, Chair, Sharing the Vision National Implementation Monitoring Committee
- Jim Ryan, Assistant National Director, Head of Operations and Service Improvement, HSE
- John Farrelly, Chief Executive, Mental Health Commission
- Sharon Lane, Chair, Sharing the Vision National Reference Group of Service Users and Family Members
- Blessing Dada, Mental Health Advocate
- Barbara Brennan, See Change Programmes Leader
- Pa Reilly, Mental Health Worker, Pavee Point
- Michele Kerrigan, Chairperson, Mental Health Reform
The conference is now available to watch back in the videos below.
