Menu
08/02/2023
Assembly Needed To Support Children's Mental Health Strategy
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has called for the urgent restoration of the Executive to allow for much needed action on addressing children's mental health.
Marking Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, Bradshaw raised a motion calling on the Assembly to recognise the specific Action encased within the Mental Health Strategy around infant mental health, to endorse the manifesto of the Association for Infant Mental Health, and to support further enhancement of the Mental Health Strategy.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week was first launched in 2015 by the charity Place2Be, with the aim of highlighting the importance of inspiring good mental health in children and young people, and recognising the struggles many face.
The MLA said: "With today's children and young people facing such a wide array of growingly pervasive challenges, it's never been more important to raise awareness of the difficulties many face, and how essential it is for both themselves and the adults in their lives to help look after their mental health.
"Whilst charity organisations like Place2Be do amazing work and provide so many vital resources in this area, there is still so much more we can do to help.
"With that in mind, in the case of infant mental health in particular, I have raised a motion which calls on the Assembly to consider a number of measures that would reaffirm our commitment to enhancing the Mental Health Strategy in such ways that would result in a positive impact on infant mental health, such as taking action to reduce poverty, stress, fear and anxiety on parents and care-givers.
"We would also call on any eventual Health Minister to implement a collaborative plan on infant mental health.
"However, with the current impasse at Stormont as a result of the DUP's continued boycott, we are unfortunately unable to actually take any desperately needed action on this. It's unacceptable.
"It is now entirely evident that if we want these sorts of issues to be given the urgent attention they deserve, we need to reform the institutions so that parties willing to take responsibility for such issues which have an impact on all of us can do so."
Marking Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, Bradshaw raised a motion calling on the Assembly to recognise the specific Action encased within the Mental Health Strategy around infant mental health, to endorse the manifesto of the Association for Infant Mental Health, and to support further enhancement of the Mental Health Strategy.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week was first launched in 2015 by the charity Place2Be, with the aim of highlighting the importance of inspiring good mental health in children and young people, and recognising the struggles many face.
The MLA said: "With today's children and young people facing such a wide array of growingly pervasive challenges, it's never been more important to raise awareness of the difficulties many face, and how essential it is for both themselves and the adults in their lives to help look after their mental health.
"Whilst charity organisations like Place2Be do amazing work and provide so many vital resources in this area, there is still so much more we can do to help.
"With that in mind, in the case of infant mental health in particular, I have raised a motion which calls on the Assembly to consider a number of measures that would reaffirm our commitment to enhancing the Mental Health Strategy in such ways that would result in a positive impact on infant mental health, such as taking action to reduce poverty, stress, fear and anxiety on parents and care-givers.
"We would also call on any eventual Health Minister to implement a collaborative plan on infant mental health.
"However, with the current impasse at Stormont as a result of the DUP's continued boycott, we are unfortunately unable to actually take any desperately needed action on this. It's unacceptable.
"It is now entirely evident that if we want these sorts of issues to be given the urgent attention they deserve, we need to reform the institutions so that parties willing to take responsibility for such issues which have an impact on all of us can do so."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 January 2024
DUP Calls For Action On Car Insurance Price Increases
The DUP has called on the UK government to investigate car insurance price increases, especially for young drivers, in Northern Ireland.
DUP Calls For Action On Car Insurance Price Increases
The DUP has called on the UK government to investigate car insurance price increases, especially for young drivers, in Northern Ireland.
18 January 2024
Thousands Of Public Sector Workers Begin Strike Action
Northern Ireland's largest strike in around 50 years has gotten underway today, 18 January. Around 170,000 public sector workers are taking part in the industrial action. Members from over 15 unions including health, education and transport workers are taking part in the day of mass industrial action.
Thousands Of Public Sector Workers Begin Strike Action
Northern Ireland's largest strike in around 50 years has gotten underway today, 18 January. Around 170,000 public sector workers are taking part in the industrial action. Members from over 15 unions including health, education and transport workers are taking part in the day of mass industrial action.
07 March 2019
Student Mental Health Services Allocated £150k
Student mental health services in Belfast are set to benefit from a first of its kind pilot project worth £150,000.
Student Mental Health Services Allocated £150k
Student mental health services in Belfast are set to benefit from a first of its kind pilot project worth £150,000.
09 October 2001
World Mental Health Day helps to dispel myths
The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún, has emphasised the importance of World Mental Health Day which is taking place on 10 October.
World Mental Health Day helps to dispel myths
The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún, has emphasised the importance of World Mental Health Day which is taking place on 10 October.
17 April 2024
Funding And Action Plan Needed For Children's Health Waiting Lists
Funding and an expertly researched action plan are needed to address children's health waiting lists if Northern Ireland is to avoid developing a two-tier health system. This was the message Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA following the publication of a new report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).
Funding And Action Plan Needed For Children's Health Waiting Lists
Funding and an expertly researched action plan are needed to address children's health waiting lists if Northern Ireland is to avoid developing a two-tier health system. This was the message Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA following the publication of a new report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A mainly dry evening and night with isolated showers dying out and some longer clear spells. Then it will cloud over towards morning with some heavy showers. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
