Mental health strategy - early intervention and prevention
This page provides regular updates on the implementation of the Mental Health Strategy 2021–2031, including quarterly news, progress reports, and key developments.
It highlights the work of the cross-sectoral groups involved, shares outcomes from ongoing initiatives, and keeps stakeholders informed about actions supporting early intervention, prevention, and improved mental health services across Northern Ireland.
Access a copy of Mental Health Strategy - Early Intervention and Prevention Action Plan 2022-2025 here.
Mental health early intervention and prevention newsletter
Click below to access the programmes’ newsletter which provides information about the work underway:
Mental health early intervention and prevention newsletter - Spring 2025
Mental health early intervention and prevention newsletter - Winter 2024
Conferences
Debrief from Mental Health Conference - 29 May 2025
More than 200 people from across health and social care, the voluntary and community sectors, local councils, academics and policy makers attended the Mental Health Strategy Early Intervention and Prevention conference on the 29th of May.
The conference focused on taking a public mental health approach to tackling the inequalities that drive poor mental health.
Key partners in the conference were the Department of Health, Mental Health Foundation NI, the University of Ulster the Mental Health Champions office, Queens University Belfast and the University of Ulster who hosted the conference on their Coleraine campus.
Actions 1 and 2 of the Mental Health Strategy emphasises the need to move to a model of prevention and earlier intervention and recognises that inequalities such as poverty and income inequality, adverse childhood experiences, racism, discrimination, health conditions, disability and ageing, housing and the built environment all impact on being able to enjoy good mental health.
Speakers included Dr. Jacqui Dyer who has led the co-development of the NHS’s Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) and acted as Mental Health Equalities Advisor to NHS England and Dr Denise O’Hagan, Assistant Director Strategic Public Heath (Mental Health & Learning Disability) Public Health Agency.
Through panel discussions and posters the conference showcased work underway to address inequalities in public mental health and offered an opportunity to share learning.
A full report from the conference is in development but slides from the conference are available on request, please email mentalhealthEIPactionplan@hscni.net.