Is mental health policy moving forward?
People in every community should have access to crisis mental health supports on a 24/7 basis, says executive director of Mental Health Reform Shari McDaid
What's your name?
Shari McDaid.
What position do you hold?
Executive director of Mental Health Reform. We are a coalition of 60 member organisations campaigning to transform mental health supports in Ireland.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
· Representing the mental health sector to government, politicians and the Health Service Executive (HSE);
· Coordinating the voice of the sector, in partnership with our members;
· Meeting people who use mental health services, their families and mental health professionals.
What is your professional background?
Social policy, with a particular emphasis on mental health and social justice.
Tell me about yourself away from work?
I like to sing. I conduct a choir at the Unitarian Church on St. Stephen’s Green.
Tell us something very few people know about you?
When I was in High School I played the role of Nancy in a production of Oliver! It was great fun and encouraged my love of music and singing.
You are speaking at the 2017 Mental Health Summit. What are you speaking about?
I’m participating in a discussion panel on the implementation of mental health policy – is mental health realistically moving forward? How can we remove the barriers to speedier implementation of policy. Plus, I’ll give our coalition’s perspective on a vision for Ireland’s mental health system in the future.
What major challenges do you see for mental health services in Ireland?
People in every community should have access to crisis mental health supports on a 24/7 basis. We are a long way from this goal. Also, everyone who ends up using mental health services should be confident that their human rights will be respected.
Where would you like to see our mental health service in 10 years’ time?
I hope for an ambitious mental health service. I hope for a mental health service that is open to everyone, so that anyone with a mental health difficulty can recover and live a full life in their community. I hope for a service that respects and nurtures partnership between mental health professionals, service users and their families/carers; a service that empowers people, respects their rights and values the great diversity of our human experience.
Shari McDaid is appearing at The 2nd National Mental Health Summit. The agenda and further details for this important national event, at the AVIVA Stadium on November 9th, is available at Mentalhealthsummit.ie.
