Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has welcomed the publication of a new report into mental wellbeing in Northern Ireland
The study, 'A Flourishing Society - Aspiration for Emotional Health and Wellbeing in NI', was carried out by the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (NIAMH).
The Minister said: “Positive mental health from childhood to later years is crucial to our quality of life at individual, family and community level. There is no health without mental health. I congratulate NIAMH on producing this insightful and thought-provoking report on improving the mental health and wellbeing of our population.
“The findings and recommendations contained in the report are already informing the development of my Department's new Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.”
Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride commissioned the report. He said: "Our mental health is as important as good physical health. That means taking positive action to maintain good mental health and wellbeing. The NIAMH report has highlighted the areas and approaches we need to focus on to make this happen.
"There has been much good work by people in health and social care and in the voluntary and community sectors.
"We intend to build on this and to focus more on improving people’s emotional wellbeing rather than just treating mental health problems when they occur. Our challenge is to help people to be better able to cope with life’s problems in a positive way.
"The new strategy will set out the way forward for achieving this."