PASSIONATE ABOUT MENTAL / EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Mental health services remain a neglected area in overall health services. There is a lot of talk and little action. What is required is a quality, effective humane and compassionate service more responsive to the needs to children, adults and families. Mental health services are now where cardiac services were in the 1970’s – neglected, underfunded and tokenistic.

• Resetting suicide reduction target from a paltry 10% over 5 years to 30% over 5 years.

• Ensure partners in Suicide early intervention, prevention and postvention are funded adequately.

• Increasing the HSE mental health budget from an indefensible 6% to an effective 13%

• The provision of accessible evidence based psychosocial and emotional based interventions –‘talk therapies’, safe zones, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in community based, non-clinical settings via Primary Care and voluntary partner providers.

PASSIONATE ABOUT WELLBEING

Wellbeing is about all citizens being confident, happy and healthy – physically and emotionally. Wellbeing is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth in all aspects of our life – where we work, rest and play. Our founding document The 1916 Proclamation states that it declares “its resolve to pursue the happiness of all its citizens“

• Wellbeing needs to be put firmly into our public policies

• Promoting emotional wellness skills development by embedding into schools practical skills for our children and young people – problem solving skills, social media skills, communication skills, language to address positive and negative emotions, tools for stress reduction, and the development of resilience.

• When we skill all our people – children, teenagers, adults, and our wise seniors – we are moving towards wellness. This creates resilience, optimism and hope, all key ingredients that prevent suicide, self-harm and promote wellbeing.

PASSIONATE ABOUT IMPROVING DISABILITY SERVICES

As a working Clinical Psychologist I see the impact of resource deficits for children & adults with disabilities – Intellectual, physical, & sensory.

• Enabling legislation that supports the full inclusion and self‐determination for people with Autistic Spectrum & disabilities via an individualised supports framework.

• Improved supports for individuals with Autistic Spectrum & Disabilities and their families across the lifespan – Early Intervention, School Age, and Adult Services

• Close ‘Aras Attracta’ type congregate settings and promote community based supports that enable lives with dignity.

• Ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights for People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) without further delay.

PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATION FOR LIFE

• Restoration of Career Guidance/Counsellors in Secondary Schools

• An education system that prepares the individual for society and an economy.

• An education system that promotes Wellbeing & Resilience Evidenced Based Life skills programs in primary & secondary schools, addressing areas including; decision-making and problem-solving; creative thinking and critical thinking; communication and interpersonal skills; social media skills; self-awareness and empathy; coping with emotions and coping with stress.