{"id":709,"date":"2016-12-13T14:55:50","date_gmt":"2016-12-13T14:55:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oco.ie\/?p=709"},"modified":"2017-10-24T14:56:29","modified_gmt":"2017-10-24T14:56:29","slug":"mental-health-must-priority-levels-government-society","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oco.ie\/ga\/news\/mental-health-must-priority-levels-government-society\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health must be a priority at all levels of Government and society"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ombudsman for Children hosts LetItGlow for Mental Health<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, this evening (Tuesday), hosted LetItGlow, an evening of music, drama and song by young people and for young people, to celebrate the movement that is underway to promote mental health awareness.Speaking following the event held at the Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dr Muldoon said:<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough progress has been made in raising awareness of mental health issues, there are still young people who are afraid to speak out and who feel nobody will understand what they are going through. There are also many adults who are afraid to ask if a child is ok, in many cases because they are unsure what will happen next \u2013 what else they can offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking beyond raising awareness, progress must be made now in providing the necessary services for the children and young people who have been brave enough to speak out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are currently major gaps and inconsistencies in the provision of services and that must be remedied. As Ombudsman for Children, I will use all of the statutory powers of my Office to hold Government to account in the provision of those services for children and young people with mental health difficulties.<\/p>\n

\u201cLetItGlow for Mental Health is an opportunity for us through first-hand stories, drama, dance and song to explore what it means to be affected by mental health issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe time is now to make progress on these issues. There is a need for a specific mental health strategy for children and young people, essentially, a Vision for Change for Children which will, among other things, ensure 24\/7 cover for mental health services. However, we also need to ensure that support is available as soon as someone needs it so that fewer young people need to rely on the crisis services for mental health issues. The role of teachers and schools in helping children through tough times and crises has been enormous but they too need much more support to continue this great contribution.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to commend all of the young people who performed and who told their stories tonight. They were both enlightening and inspirational.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul McBride, Cycle Against Suicide CEO also spoke at the event and he commented:<\/p>\n

\u201cI was delighted to see so many young people here tonight, and to see representatives from a number of organisations who, like ourselves are working to raise awareness and to make a real difference in the area of mental health. We all share a common goal and at Cycle Against Suicide we want to let people know it\u2019s OK not to feel OK and absolutely OK to ask for help. By working together, I believe that we can make progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that talking isn\u2019t always easy and that many people express themselves better by going for a run or a cycle, or by singing a song, writing a poem or drawing a picture. That\u2019s why I was so delighted that tonight we had the opportunity to explore mental health through performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

ENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact:
\nAoife Carragher
\nOmbudsman for Children\u2019s Office
\n087 148 4173\/ 01 865 6800<\/p>\n

Notes to Editor<\/p>\n