South East Fermanagh Foundation challenge politicians to take action on mental health

by Gráinne Connolly

Lisnaskea-based South East Fermanagh Foundation has issued a challenge to politicians, off the back of Mental Health Awareness Week. 

The organisation supports innocent victims and survivors of terrorism and 'other Troubles related criminal violence. 

They have challenged politicians to "end the talk around Mental Health and start delivering". 

Kenny Donaldson, the SEFF's Director of Services stated:

"This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week with the theme being 'surviving to thriving'. 

This fits very much in line with the title of SEFF's Victim Project - 'Living not Existing' which works with hundred of people who have been traumatised by terror- related events and who in many cases suffer mental ill health as a result". 

Mr Donaldson went on to mention the Stormont House Agreement.

It states that the NHS will work closely with the Victims and Survivors Service and other organisations, through a Mental Trauma Service and in his words, this service is "uncontested and should be proceeded with vigor". 

He also said that as a society we are failing victims and survivors by not providing them with the help that they need. 

Northern Ireland's mental ill health rates are the highest across the entire UK, therefore optimum work must be delivered "not a bare minimum". 

"All of us have mental health and all of us must be mindful that our mental health is susceptible to attack from the daily grind of life and the pressures which go with it as well as the demands and expectations (whether placed on us by others or self inflicted).

For innocent victims and survivors of terrorism and other troubles related violence, there are additional factors and components on top of the ill health. 

Mr Donaldson concluded his statement: "we need to do better by those who need us most - Government must lead but that doesn't mean the public get off lightly - we each have a responsibility to care and support our neighbours, colleagues, family members and indeed ourselves,".