MHR Launch New Five-Year Strategic Plan at the Mansion House
Mental Health Reform, Ireland’s leading national coalition on mental health, today launched its new strategic plan 2023 – 2028: ‘Making Mental Health Matter’ in the Mansion House, Dublin.
The strategic plan sets the roadmap for the coalition’s work for the next five years. It is designed to fully harness the collaborative power of the coalition and provide a platform to make mental health matter by placing the voices of Mental Health Reform’s members and the people accessing their services at the centre of its work.
It aims to equip Mental Health Reform to adapt to the new post-COVID-19 environment, to identify ambitious yet achievable priorities for the coming years, and to support the coalition to continue to grow sustainably in size, reach and influence.
Mental Health Reform is launching its strategic plan at its Members’ Showcase event in the Mansion House with Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy. This event is an opportunity for elected representatives to learn about Mental Health Reform’s member organisations and the positive impact of their work in the voluntary and community sector.
Michele Kerrigan, Chair, Mental Health Reform said: “We are delighted to publish our strategic plan at our Members’ Showcase in the Mansion House today. The title of the plan is ‘Making Mental Health Matter’ which reflects the importance of prioritising mental health.
We would like to thank all of those who helped shape this plan including our members, individuals with lived experience of mental health difficulties and their supporters, our staff, board members and other key stakeholders.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health has become a prominent topic in public discourse both in Ireland and globally. There is a cross society understanding that mental health policy and practice must stretch beyond health and medical concerns to focus on human rights, dignity, and social justice.
The next decade has the potential to be a transformative period for mental health in Ireland. We have an opportunity to address shortcomings in our current health system, to work together to build a system that gives parity to mental health, and one that operates in a coherent and integrated way.
Over the next five years, we will continue our efforts in advocating for an accessible, inclusive, high-quality mental health system in Ireland. We look forward to working with members, those with lived experiences and all other organisations and individuals who are passionate about reforming Ireland’s mental health system.”
Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy said: “I am honoured to be hosting the first ever Mental Health Reform Members’ Showcase here in the Mansion House today. I would like to congratulate the coalition on the launch of its new strategic plan.
Mental Health Reform and its 80 member organisations make an invaluable contribution to the mental health sector in Ireland. The Members’ Showcase is an ideal opportunity to come together and highlight the wide range of mental health supports provided by the voluntary and community sector. From suicide support networks and housing supports to counselling services and recovery, Mental Health Reform’s members deliver vital services to diverse groups across all local authorities and constituencies.
Placing mental health at the heart of our communities is hugely important for me. I hope that today’s Showcase shines a light on the importance of mental health and fosters meaningful connections and conversations between elected representatives and the voluntary and community sector.”
