Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Health Promotion.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

201 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the total funding allocated to health promotion; the total funding made available to health promotion for the prevention of mental illness and the promotion of mental well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6316/02]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

204 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the elements of health promotion specifically targeted to informing the community about mental illness and reducing discrimination against people with a mental illness; his plans to extend this to the work place and to schools; the funding involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6319/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 204 together.

The total amount allocated to health promotion this year is approximately €22.5 million, which includes an approximate amount of €1.25 million allocated for the promotion of positive mental health. These amounts include both the allocations to the health boards and the health promotion unit of my Department.

The health promotion strategy and the new health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You, both endorse the promotion of positive mental health. The health promotion strategy has a strategic aim "to promote positive mental health and to contribute to a reduction in the percentage of the population experiencing poor mental health", while the health strategy recognises the importance of positive mental health as a vital component of good health and well-being. Consequently, the health promotion unit, the health boards and a range of both statutory and non-statutory organisations continue to support a wide range of initiatives and programmes aimed at promoting positive mental health in a range of settings such as schools, health services, the community and the workplace.

Community based initiatives include extensive collaboration and support for several voluntary organisations working specifically to promote greater awareness of positive mental health and related matters. Public information materials on a range of issues such as stress management and suicide awareness continue to be developed and made available to the public. Senior help lines are also available in a number of boards to lonely, isolated or worried older people in the community. Workplace promotion initiatives include raising greater awareness of the need for the promotion of positive mental health. Other activities that promote positive mental health, positive attitudes and behaviour towards mental illness and stigma reduction include suicide prevention and bereavement programmes, staff training and development, awareness raising initiatives, etc. The promotion of positive mental health is also a feature of the social, personal and health education programme in schools.