Mental Health Champion for NI

MHC @profsiobhanon statement regarding events in Maguiresbridge

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My posts on the proposal to provide suicide prevention training to all frontline workers in NI 4 pics (threads no longer work) The original posts should be accessible. Ask me any questions about what is needed and current plans. Interview 1.55 ⬇️📻 bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0…

Mandatory suicide prevention training for frontline staff is not the best way to spend limited resources. 1 (of a series of posts) My interview on this from 1.55 onwards 📻⬇️

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2/ We also need more funding for restricting access to means. Our priorities should be: Restricting access to methods, & timely, high quality crisis interventions with embedded safety planning These are the actions that, according to the evidence, will make a difference.

1/ I’m glad to see this plan, but we must roll out the regional crisis intervention service, & have it properly funded, esp the C&V sector element, to deliver crisis services with follow up interventions. De-escalation is not enough!

The Health Minister has launched the Protect Life 2 Action Plan and Implementation Plan for suicide prevention and reducing self-harm. ➡️Read more: health-ni.gov.uk/news/protect-l…

My response to the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation. The proposals should not proceed. They will cause distress & suffering for people who are unable to work due to mental illness & put more pressure on mental health services. The effects will be even greater in NI.

Today MHC @profsiobhanon publishes her response to the UK government’s Pathways to Work Green Paper Consultation You can read the full response here: mentalhealthchampion-ni.org.uk/publications/m…

My overview of the Executive’s draft anti poverty strategy from a mental health/ suicide prevention/ trauma lens.⬇️ The draft falls v-far short of what is necessary. Very worrying tbh 😢

How things have changed for the worse in the 20+ years since I started researching mental health and trauma in NI: PTSD 2005 - 5.1% PTSD & Complex PTSD 2026 - 6.1% Adults with 4 or more ACEs 2005 - 7.2% Adults with 4 or more ACEs 2025 - 17.6%

Delighted to be at @StMarysDerry celebrating the cohort one “Being Well Doing Well” schools 🧠 Embedding a whole school approach to emotional health & wellbeing💛 Excellent work @Education_NI @Ed_Authority - needs secure funding & expansion across all primary schools in NI💰

What does a strong whole school approach to mental health look like in practice? Pupil voice Staff wellbeing Compassionate leadership Curriculum Staff professional development ➡️Changes in school ethos, wellbeing, relationships, learning & policies.

Update on MH Strategy frm Strategic Reform Board📢 Much of the necessary planning & structures are now in place Additional funding is not available for next stages (⬆️workforce, services etc)🙁 Deliverability review ongoing- tough decisions ahead re which actions to focus on🙁

Statement from MHC @profsiobhanon in regards to the ongoing public disorder:

Reflections on @lucy_crehan's Review of the NI Curriculum - so important for the mental health of children & YP. I'm delighted to see a move away from the "achieving potential" narrative (which implies that some children have more potential/ underlying abilities, than others).