Mental Health Strategy Delivery Plan 2024/25

The Mental Health Strategy Delivery Plan for 2024/25 has today been published by the Department of Health.

This plan is the third annual delivery plan to be published under the Mental Health Strategy 2021-31.

It sets out the key priority actions that will be delivered during 2024/25, as well as details on progress against the 2023/24 annual delivery plan.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Mental health is a priority for me as Health Minister, just as it has been since I was first elected as an MLA in 2011.

“The Mental Health Strategy is one of the key vehicles for bringing about changes to mental health services across the whole lifespan in Northern Ireland.  It sets out a clear direction of travel to support and promote good mental health, provide early intervention to prevent serious mental illness, provide the right response when a person needs specialist help and support, as well as outlining how the system will work to implement these changes.

“This Plan builds on the good progress achieved to date on implementing priority actions from the Mental Health Strategy, including on those actions delivered as part of the 2023/24 plan, and sets out clearly our key priorities for the coming year. These include a focus on integrating the community and voluntary sector into mental health service delivery; taking steps to address workforce challenges; continued delivery of the Early Intervention and Prevention Plan; and continued development of the Regional Mental Health Service.”

The Mental Health Strategy Delivery Plan for 2024/25 has been co-designed with the input and support of a range of stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the Public Health Agency (PHA), Health & Social Care Trusts, Community and Voluntary sector, the Mental Health Champion and service users.

Despite the severe budgetary challenges facing the Department, a number of priority actions have been taken forward.

These include:

• Community perinatal mental health teams in place across all Health & Social Care Trusts;
• Completion of a three-year Early Intervention and Prevention Action Plan, with progress made on implementation of actions;
• Publication of an independent Mental Health workforce review, with work underway to begin planning implementation of key recommendations;
• Additional investment of more than £2m in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to enhance existing provision and alleviate pressures;
• Co-design of a five-year implementation plan for the establishment of a Regional Mental Health Service and appointment of the head of the new service;
• Completion of a review exploring the optimal approach to engaging the community and voluntary sector in the development of mental health policy and provision.

While progress is being made, ongoing delivery of the Strategy continues to depend on the provision of additional and sustained funding. 

“My Department remains clear that this is required to fully implement all actions within the Strategy and bring about the necessary improvements in services that we so desperately need,” Minister Nesbitt added.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Mental Health Strategy Delivery Plan 2024/25 can be accessed on the Department website here Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031 | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk)
2. Work on the plan was informed by a series of co-design workshops held between February and March 2024. These workshops included representation from key stakeholders across the HSC, including the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) of the Department of Health, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the HSC Trusts, alongside representatives from the Mental Health Champion’s Office, Community and Voluntary sector, and professional bodies with input from service users and carers.   
3. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
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