Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler announces establishment of Reference Group

The Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler in conjunction with Shine, today announces the establishment of a Reference Group to provide the service users and family member perspective

May 11, 2022 - 06:26

Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler announces establishment of Reference Group

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The purpose of the Reference Group is to advise the NIMC Steering Committee on the implementation of Sharing the Vision recommendations from the service user and family member perspective as part of official implementation reporting processes. This Reference Group has been convened for an initial term of 3 years.

In 2021, Shine was selected as host agency following a competitive Expression of Interest Process, facilitated on behalf of the NIMC Steering Committee by the HSE Mental Health Engagement and Recovery Office.

In February 2022, Ms Sharon Lane was selected as Chair of the Reference Group. Ms Lane has over 20 years’ experience in the not for profit and public service sectors in Ireland and Australia and is an experienced mental health advocate who is committed to improving mental health service provision and to ensuring that the voice of the service user is central to the process. The full membership of the Reference Group has been confirmed and an Induction has been held.

Minister Butler said:

“I am delighted to announce the establishment of this important group. The importance of the participation of service users, family members, carers and supporters in policy making and implementation cannot be understated. It is absolutely vital that people who use our services are at the heart of the design, development and delivery of the systems we build to serve them. I feel very strongly about this and I will support the inclusion of that crucial lived experience perspective in any way I can.”

Nicola Byrne, CEO, Shine said:

“I am delighted that Shine has been selected to host the Reference Group for the Sharing the Vision National Implementation Monitoring Committee. Shine is proud of its long history of working to empower people with mental health difficulties, their families and supporters through support, information and education and by advocating for social change. We look forward to centrality of the voice of those that experience mental health services and authentic engagement with service development.”

Sharon Lane, Chair of Reference Group said:

“On behalf of myself as Chairperson, and on behalf of the members of the NIMC Reference Group, we are honoured to have been selected to represent the wider voice of mental health service users and their family members in the Implementation of the Sharing the Vision Mental Health policy. The reference group is committed to ensuring that the voice of the service user is central to the policy implementation process and we welcome the group's role as a positive move by all partners in the process."

John Saunders, Chair of NIMC Steering Committee said:

“On behalf of the NIMC Steering Committee, I welcome this development. Prioritising the voice of those with self-experience as well as family members and supporters is at the heart of the Sharing the Vision ethos. I am confident that the Reference Group will significantly enhance the implementation and implementation monitoring of Sharing the Vision and I look forward to this valuable collaboration going forward.”

Source: Department of Health