Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Waterford TD Mary Butler, is today marking World Mental Health Day 2024.
In highlighting World Mental Health Day, Minister Butler said:
"The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Mental Health at Work’, and I want to highlight how important it is that we ensure that we foster workplaces that are supportive and free of mental health stigma. By doing this we can all support those who may have mental health difficulties to find work, to remain in work, and benefit from the fulfilment, well-being and sense of purpose that can come with employment.
"I firmly believe that mental health is everyone’s business, and that is why cross-government collaboration and wider societal action are key to ensuring that we support workers and their employers to create workplaces where mental health is prioritised.
“That is why I am proud to support excellent initiatives such as the Individual Placement Support (IPS), an internationally recognised, evidence-based programme to support people with mental health challenges returning to or commencing work. This programme is operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Office for Mental Health Engagement and Recovery, which I am pleased to say has received significant additional funding in this year’s Budget for peer support workers and recovery coordinators, to place the idea of recovery at the heart of the services that we provide.”
Reflecting on the importance of people protecting their mental health, Minister Butler added:
“Every single person in Ireland has a part to play in breaking down stigma around mental health, and creating an environment where people feel empowered, informed and able to seek out the help that is out there, should they need it.
“Anyone can experience mental health challenges at any time during their lives, and that is why I want to repeat the vital message that so often goes unsaid, that recovery can and is possible.
“If any person is feeling pressure, I encourage them to reach out for help. There are a wide range of high-quality mental health supports available in Ireland, through the HSE or the many agencies providing care on its behalf."
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