Press release
Ministers Harris and Daly announce a fund of €3 million to help support community mental health initiatives across the country
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Health Simon Harris TD and Minister of State with special responsibility for Older People and Mental Health Jim Daly TD have today announced a fund of €3 million to help support community mental health initiatives across the country.
This fund will support local sports and community organisations that promote mental health and alleviate loneliness.
Minister Daly said:
"This €3 million fund will help local organisations to improve the mental well-being of people within our communities.
“Local community groups such as sporting organisations, youth clubs and others have an existing network of members along with an existing built infrastructure that allows them to connect with large numbers of people with the minimum of effort. The leaders of these clubs are generally held in high regard and very much trusted by their members.
"This fund is designed to assist these voluntary groups to enhance the wonderful work they are already doing by providing funding to put in place preventative and early intervention well-being practices within their organisation.”
Minister for Health Simon Harris TD said:
"This year, we will invest over €1 billion in mental health services. We will open a new state of the art Central Mental Hospital. We will recruit more staff.
"These national policies must support the role our local communities have in the area of mental health. They reach places our health service can't. They have the trust, respect and admiration of their community.
"They are leaders and pillars of their community and this fund goes some way in recognising the invaluable work they do and to help them help us."
The fund is being dispersed through the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and the Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs) to deliver innovative actions in line with local and national policies and objectives for the benefit of people in their communities.
Minister Daly is directing all interested organisations to contact their local, LCDC (through the local Authority) or CYPSC, for information on the type of actions planned under the Fund.
You can find contact details for the Local Authorities on the following website:
ENDS