22 May 2015
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada will host a delegation on the subject of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Brussels on the 2nd and 3rd of June. Announcing the event in Strasbourg this afternoon Ní Riada said;
“I am delighted that over thirty people involved in the Mental Health field in Ireland will travel to the European Parliament to take part in a series of roundtable meetings, with policy-makers, researchers, campaigners, civil society groups, and, crucially, with each other.”
“Participants from organisations such as Pieta House, Mental Health Ireland, Action Mental Health, SOSAD, 3TS and Mental Health reform, will join with practitioners, advocates and campaigners, academics, individuals involved in promotion and prevention, and those with personal experience of mental illness.
“The aim of the delegation will be to inform participants of initiatives and best practice at a European level, facilitate networking and the sharing of knowledge and experience, raise their issues and concerns, feed into policy formation, and raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing at home and in the Parliament.
“Mental Illness affects one in four of us, and there isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t a story to tell. Austerity and the economic crisis have had negative impacts on mental health and wellbeing across society and on our men in particular. This coupled with Government cuts has led to unacceptable gaps in our mental health services.
“It is important that those active in the mental health and wellbeing field have their voices heard, and I am glad to have the opportunity to host and facilitate this event.”