High-profile figures including gary lightbody call for mental health spending to be doubled to help address Northern Ireland's suicide rate. Gary signed an open letter which was published this morning and joined us in the @bbcgmu studio to tell us why he signed it Michael Conlan

An open letter to @RobinSwannMfH calling for a public health emergency to be called on suicide. Suicide is preventable. Urgent action is needed now. As a 1st step double the funding for counselling & set a 28 day max waiting time. Add your voice at bit.ly/publichealthem…

Solidarity to PPR #123GP mental health advocacy movement demanding resources to prevent suicides in the north of Ireland. So many parallels with the Trauma-fueled epidemics I’ve seen, including the Preventability (as with any public health issue). Glad to support this mvmnt.

Good to hear @orlaithiflynnsf .. 👏 don’t forget about the need to introduce a waiting time target of a max of 28 days. Currently NO waiting time target for counselling =no proper monitoring or accountability for how long people wait. #letsfixthis #counsellingworks #fundIt

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Just having a rant, I have a 30 year old sone who has severe learning disability and autism and attends a Adult Centre 5 days a week. Yes he is an adult but has a child’s mind yet we parents or staff had any clarity as to what is happening as the wether or not they are closing

Schools we’re getting a few days notice but we need to tell our young people what’s going on as it will cause a melt down as they only see black and white. I am at high risk but had to send him as he won’t miss a day unless he is told by Centre it is closing so have a thought

For us parents of Adults with learning disabilities as many have underlining health problems too yet we have been left in the dark

New data reveals that 4 of the 5 Health Trusts handed back funding ear-marked for counselling in 2019/20, despite people waiting months for an appointment. Critical, with impact of covid on mental health,that issues with timely access to quality counselling are urgently sorted.

Really good meeting with PPR on #123GP campaign for better mental health counselling in #SouthDown GPs Truly shocking to hear the level of inequality when it comes to accessing lifesaving services The @HSCBoard Southern Trust South Eastern Trust must do much much better

A beautiful day yesterday with #AnannsArch artist Lauren & participants of the Botanic Art & Nature Walk workshop in association with PPR. Their #NewScript campaign informed this workshop encouraging artistic expression as a way to nurture good mental wellbeing. #AtTheTable

PPR Department of Health Northern Trust RQIA Mark H Durkan Órlaithí Flynn Gerry Carroll Robbie Butler MLA Paul Givan More than happy to do what I can to help. I will send a DM.

We’re delighted that all parties came together on #WMHD23 to support #NewScript for Mental Health We look forward to continuing this vital conversation with you all. Txs to ⁦Mark H Durkan⁩ & ⁦Órlaithí Flynn⁩ for co- sponsoring. Find out more bit.ly/3sQ1dRP

The 10 yr Mental Health Strategy is built around GPs being the first point of contact for people in distress or suicidal. What is Department of Health doing to track: 1. Impact of GP closures on access to mental health services 2. Which communities are most impacted by rise in locums?

Congrats to NI Mental Health Arts Festival on the launch of their 2024 Festival! We were delighted to share our #NewScript Travelling Poetry Apothecary with everyone. Looking forward to being part of this year’s exciting programme! Register for our workshop here 👉 bit.ly/4aU6Cbz

Win up to £150 Wallet Credit! Please accept my invitation so that I can earn up to £200 Wallet Credit! onelink.shein.com/2/3o0px6tq2qfw

Win up to £150 Wallet Credit! Please accept my invitation so that I can earn up to £200 Wallet Credit! onelink.shein.com/2/3o0px6tq2qfw

‘You need to listen to us. We tell our stories because we never want anyone else to go through what we’ve gone through’ - Kirsty Scott Join us on #WMHD 2024 to hear Kirsty and others’ stories, and help to transform mental health services. Register 👉 bit.ly/4fP16tD