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A united voice on mental health & strength in numbers. Broad support from across mental health sector, with different groups signing up to progressive vision & values. Keeping the conversation open between those at opposite ends of the debate. Not just critical, but solutions-focused. MHR members give access to local, onthe-ground information about services. Campaign supporters (the public) have become a strong leg of our work. Seen as a credible voice by media & State & built relationships with key journalists, policymakers & HSE decision-makers.
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Opportunity for collective input into Government mental health policy beyond ‘A Vision for Change’ (2016). Opportunity to influence the next Programme for Government on mental health related issues. Opportunity to engage with growing number of consumer panels, groups & service user channels. Chairing the Children’s Mental Health Coalition brings a new dimension to MHR’s work. Opportunity to build our membership, e.g. ethnic minority groups.
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Mixed levels of engagement from & ownership of our campaigns by MHR members. Members do not always take the opportunity to input into or comment on policy formation. Members may assume we do the campaigning, so they don’t need to. We cannot only rely on members for access to service users & family members. We need to build our own relationships. The two biggest mental health groups in Ireland are not members to date.
Assumption that we are bigger and can do more, although we are a small team with limited resources. Always a risk of division within MHR over policy & ideology. That mental health as a sector will be seen by the public & politicians as having “had their time/funding” in recent Budgets. That funding for mental health services and MHR will decrease. The challenge of proving our impact, in a crowded sector Unpredictable economic environment Unpredictable political environment – reshuffles, General Elections.
Workshop E: Mental Health Reform