Mental Health Summit

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Health Minister Simon Hamilton, with Summit Chair Barry Turley and AMH’s Chief Executive David Babington

Let’s Resolve Mental Health Services … Together

Over 250 people from all Northern Ireland, with an interest in Mental Health packed the Stormont Hotel Ballroom on 24th February for NI’s first Mental Health Summit, organised by AMH.  There were representatives from across the voluntary and statutory sector, as well as political representatives, carers and service users, all hoping to participate in the discussion and make a difference.

The event focuses on the future of our mental health services and provided delegates the opportunity to influence the Departmental Mental Health Strategy in NI.

Special guest speakers included Health Minister Simon Hamilton; Natasha Devon MBE, Mental Health Champion for Schools in England; and local business woman and mindfulness coach, Brenda Shankey.  Dr Lorna Montgomery from Queen’s University along with ten AMH clients presented the main findings and recommendations from AMH’s recent research project – Regress? React? Resolve?

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Natasha Devon MBE & David Babington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brenda Shankey; Professor Deirdre Heenan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University and Professor Siobhan O'Neill, Professor of Mental Health Sciences at Ulster University
Brenda Shankey; Professor Deirdre Heenan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University and Professor Siobhan O’Neill, Professor of Mental Health Sciences at Ulster University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were also a number of panel discussions.

 

1st Panel Discussion : Dr Lorna Montgomery, Queen's university; Natasha Devon MBE; Paul Green AMH; Andrew Dawson, Head of Mental Health Policy Unit & Mental Capacity Bill Project, DHSSPS and David Babington AMH
1st Panel Discussion : Dr Lorna Montgomery, Queen’s university; Natasha Devon MBE; Paul Green AMH; Andrew Dawson, Head of Mental Health Policy Unit & Mental Capacity Bill Project, DHSSPS and David Babington AMH
The 2nd panel included Kieran McCarthy MLA, Alliance Party; Mike Nesbitt MLA, UUP; Clare Hanna MLA, SDLP; Alastair Ross MLA, DUP and Maeve McLoughlin MLA, Sinn Fein.
The 2nd panel included Kieran McCarthy MLA, Alliance Party; Mike Nesbitt MLA, UUP; Clare Hanna MLA, SDLP; Alastair Ross MLA, DUP and Maeve McLoughlin MLA, Sinn Fein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following lunch the afternoon session was kicked off by a special video message from Alastair Campbell, best known as Tony Blair’s Spokesman & Press secretary.

Attendees then participated in 1 of 5 workshops to voice opinions, raise hard questions and contribute to a working document, which will now be submitted to the DHSSPS and the Health Minister.  We aim to prioritise mental health in the next Programme for Government and gain a commitment to resolving mental health service provision during the life of the new Assembly.

Summit Brochure

More photographs can be found on our Facebook Page

 


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