Regional Mental Health Service for Northern Ireland

The Ministerial Foreword to the draft Mental Health Strategy highlights the creation of a regional mental health service for N Ireland as one of four key strategic actions going forward. The creation of a regional mental health service, alongside others actions in the draft Strategy, marks a significant change in how mental health services will in future be organised and delivered in N Ireland.

The Department of Health is hosting a virtual engagement event for people with lived experience of mental health services, as service users or carers, to get your views to help shape and influence the future arrangements for a regional mental health service

This virtual event will provide information on what is meant by a regional mental health service and the importance attached to co-production and co-design. A key focus of the event will be facilitated workshops to get your thoughts and views on the following important issues;

1. We want the Regional Mental Health Service to be inclusive and accessible so people with mental health difficulties can receive the support and treatment they need to help them in their recovery;

• What do we need to do to make sure it is inclusive and accessible to those who need it?

• What support or services should be available in your local community and how best might this be provided eg statutory / community/ voluntary

• What support/ services might you be prepared to travel a bit further to receive? Consider are there times when virtual interventions could be helpful?

2. The capacity for meaningful co-production and co-design in influencing and shaping mental health services needs to be central in the proposed arrangements for a regional mental health service

• When co-production and co-design work well, what is it that helps it to work well?

• How can we ensure we embrace the ethos of co-production and how can we support the diverse voices of people with lived experience to be involved in the arrangements of a Regional Mental Health Service:

o At an overall policy direction and commissioning levels

o As part of service design and delivery in your local communities

• What needs to be in the structure to ensure people with lived experience have the power to influence decisions in their individual recovery journey?

Places are limited, so register now to book your place.