Based on the needs of people, this draft Strategy has been co-produced together with a broad range of stakeholders, including people with lived experience, carers, the interim Mental Health Champion, health and social care professionals, academics, the voluntary and community sector, and professional bodies.

The draft Strategy sets out a new draft vision for mental health in Northern Ireland, as well as 29 high-level actions to take forward significant strategic change over the next decade. Business in the Community is asking its member organisations to share their views on the draft Strategy to improve mental health outcomes in Northern Ireland.

Professor Siobhan O’Neill, Mental Health Champion NI, said: “The Mental Health Strategy will provide a framework and plan which will lead to a comprehensive series of improvements to mental health services. The strategy will be wide ranging, and take into consideration structural issues and workforce planning. It presents a vision for a world leading mental health service and, along with other initiatives such as the Department of Education’s Mental Health in Schools Framework, should lead to a healthier population through prevention, early intervention and treatment.

It is important that the business community responds to the consultation on the strategy to ensure that the proposals adequately addresses the issues impacting on them. The trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach set out in the strategy will be of benefit to businesses across NI.

“Business has an important contribution to make by providing workplaces that promote mental wellbeing and support people who struggle with their mental health. By doing so, business also gains from having a healthier, more productive, workforce and we all benefit by having better wellbeing.”

Click here to respond to the draft Strategy online before 26 March 2021 at 17:00