Health Minister has extended the appointment
of Professor Siobhan O'Neill as the Mental Health Champion for
Northern Ireland.
The Mental Health Champion's tenure is for a period of three
years and the current appointment is due to come to an end on 29
August 2024.
In line with the appointment arrangements, there is the potential
for one extension of up to three years.
Minister Nesbitt said: “Since the official appointment of
Professor O'Neill as Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland
in 2021, she has provided much vital support to the Department of
Health, the wider Executive and across the mental health sector,
in promoting emotional health and wellbeing, accessing
evidence-based support and services and promoting recovery.
“Mental ill health remains one of our greatest challenges across
Northern Ireland and there is a continued need to address this. I
am delighted that Professor O'Neill has accepted an offer to
extend her appointment as MHC for a further three years to
continue her crucial work.”
The overarching aim of the Mental Health Champion is to advise
and assist in the promotion of mental health and wellbeing
through all policies and services.
Professor O'Neill said: “I'm honoured to continue to work as the
Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland for another three
years. At present we are seeing a mental health workforce crisis,
our services are struggling to cope with the demand, and many
services are facing closure due to the lack of funding.
“This is a key time for the transformation of mental health
services and we need to see the full implementation for the
Mental Health Strategy, as well as a Programme for Government
that prioritises mental health as the foundation for peace and
prosperity.”
Professor O'Neill also thanked all those who have worked closely
with her in her role to date.
“I am dedicated to continuing this work to ensure that high
quality services and treatments are provided to those in need. I
am also grateful to all those that that have shared their
personal experiences, this continues to inspire me in my
commitment to improving the mental health and wellbeing of the
people of Northern Ireland.”
Notes to editors:
- The Mental Health Champion Annual Report 2023/24 has recently
been published and can be found here(external link opens in a
new window / tab).
