Mid and East Antrim Council mental health task force mooted

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has supported a motion to develop a mental health recovery strategy in response to the Covid pandemic.
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The motion by Carrickfergus Alliance Councillor Lauren Gray was unanimously supported at a meeting of the council on Monday evening.

Cllr Gray urged the council to act now to address the growing mental health “pandemic”, adding that the decision could save lives in the weeks and months ahead.

She said: “Good mental health is precious and something none of us should take for granted.

Mid and East Antrim Council headquarters.Mid and East Antrim Council headquarters.
Mid and East Antrim Council headquarters.

“Sadly Covid-19 will leave a lasting impact long after the initial physical health threat has left us – from those with past struggles, to those whose recovery has been hampered by the current situation, or those who have no expectation that the battle of their lives could be just around the corner.

“Lockdown, long period of restrictions and the uncertainty of what we’ll face in the months and weeks ahead, especially in the run up to Christmas, have been hard for so many people and while as council a lot of work in this area has already begun, now is the time to pull it together, to reach out into the community and to assess what we can do to fill the gaps in service provision felt by many.

“From those living alone, single parent households, the current restrictions on maternity services, the elderly and everyone else facing unemployment, financial hardship or feeling affected for any reason, we need to recognise the feeling of hopelessness many will sadly feel and work together to ensure we do all we can to offer positive mental health and well-being support across our borough.”

She added: “I’m glad my council colleagues from all parties could support this idea, clearing the way for a mental health recovery strategy, placing the same priority on mental health as we are assessing all other aspects of our recovery.”

The motion was supported by party colleague Coast Road Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna who said: “Everyone is aware of the huge impact Covid-19 and lockdown is having on everyone’s mental health regardless of who we are or how strong we are.”

She noted council has already done “some fantastic work” with positive initiatives and programmes from ‘Putting People First’ to supporting staff mental well-being.

“There are so many pressures. I believe people’s health must be a priority and come first. There is no doubt there is a mental health pandemic around the corner.

“We need to do more. We need to do more to protect and support those who are vulnerable and lonely regardless of age. Also all parents and struggles of home schooling and single parents.

“It is all about trying to protect the vulnerable and elderly and unemployed and those experiencing financial hardship. Early intervention is key.”

Carrickfergus DUP Cllr Cheryl Johnston warned of a “mental health emergency”.

“There is no-one who has not been affected in some form by the pandemic.”

Cllr Johnston highlighted the impact on maternal mental health, which she believes can be “forgotten” especially during pregnancy and post-natal and in circumstances such as scans to returning to work, relationship breakdown and during the loss of a child.

Meanwhile, party colleague Bannside Ald Tommy Nicholl MBE hit out at the language directed at the council’s officers and chief executive Anne Donaghy during a special meeting held recently to discuss concerns over the council’s representation at a dinner hosted by North Antrim MP Ian Paisley which was alleged to have been a fundraiser for the DUP.

“We are dealing with human beings who are also part of our community who are doing their best to steer us through these challenging times,” he stated.

“We always need to be thoughtful and think before we speak.”

Larne Lough Alliance Cllr Robert Logan and Ballymena SDLP Cllr Eugene Reid suggested the creation of a mental health task force by the council.

Larne Lough Ulster Unionist Cllr Keith Turner suggested communicating with Northern Ireland’s Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhan O’Neill.

Click here to read; Calls to Larne Well-being Hub service double during lockdown period

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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