Media Release

Tuesday 19 June 2007

Mind your health

The Belfast Trust has received £3.18m through the Renewing Communities Project to develop and enhance mental health projects and services in North and West Belfast.

One in four of us will experience a mental illness in our lifetime. Although many of these will be short-term, they can cause emotional pain and disruption in our lives and in extreme cases can lead to serious self-harm or suicide.

This much needed funding will improve access to treatment and support when and where it is needed, building on both statutory and community services in a way that will reduce stigma and promote recovery and well-being.

Renewing Communities funding has significantly increased access to therapies such as cognitive therapy, psychotherapy and counselling. These therapies, sometimes together with medication can help people take back control of their lives.

Brendan Mullen, Director of Mental Health and Learning Disability, added, ‘The drive to invest funds in mental health services reflects both the challenges set out in recent government policy to tackle disadvantaged working class communities and prioritises mental health as a key aspect of service development.’

A Celebration of Renewing Communities Projects will be launched at the Spectrum Centre at 10.30am Tuesday 19 June.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

Services and groups being supported by Renewing Communities include:

For further information please contact:

The Belfast Trust Media Office on (028) 9096 0096

Out-of-hours phone (028) 9056 5656