Mental Health

Mental Health

Mental health refers to our overall emotional, psychological and social wellbeing.

Globally, one in four people will be affected by a mental health or neurological disorder at some point in their lives, according to the World Health Organization.

Why is mental health a public health issue?

Good mental health is essential for overall health and wellbeing. Poor mental health can lead to negative outcomes, such as reduced quality of life, increased risk of chronic disease, increased risk of suicide, as well as wider economic and social costs.

Factors, such as socioeconomic status and social support, can have a significant impact on our mental health.

A public health approach, however, can promote mental health and wellbeing through healthy behaviours and lifestyle choices and also address the social and environmental factors that may contribute to poor mental health outcomes.

Support Services

If you are experiencing mental health issues, help, support, and information is available from a wide range of organisations.

Ireland: This list from the Health Service Executive details support and information services.
Northern Ireland: The Public Health Agency has developed a directory of mental health services on its Minding Your Head website.
The Samaritans also provide confidential support 24 hours a day by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org

Key Facts: Mental Health

Our mental health can be affected at any stage of life

Ireland: 42% of Irish adults have a mental health disorder (2022)

Northern Ireland: Around 1 in 5 adults in Northern Ireland experienced mental health issues in the previous year (2021/22 NI Health Survey)

Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

The following strategy seeks to develop a whole system mental health policy for Ireland.

Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone

Northern Ireland: Policy, Strategy, Legislation

The following strategy sets out the future direction of mental health services in Northern Ireland.

Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031

Mental Health

Recent work on mental health

IPH uses evidence-based data to develop policy briefs and submissions that will inform public policy in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The Institute is currently developing a report for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland on the relationship between smoking and mental health and expects to publish its findings later this year.

Latest Mental Health Resources

Mental Health

Tobacco

#WNTD Blog: Tobacco and Mental Health - Untangling the relationship and identifying opportunities to progress policy

31 May, 2023 - The 9th European Conference on Tobacco or Health in Madrid attracted hundreds of delegates from far and wide to consider how a ‘Tobacco-Free Generation’ could be achieved in Europe by 2040. IPH…

Mental Health Tobacco

Covid-19

Blog: Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of people living on the island of Ireland

16 Feb, 2022 - In this blog, Louise O’Connor, a research assistant at the Institute of Public Health, explores what we know, and don’t know, about mental health at population level during the COVID-19 pandemic in…

COVID-19 Mental Health

Gambling and mental health

Blog: New challenges in mental health – what role for enhanced regulation of gambling?

18 May, 2021 - In this blog, Ciara Reynolds and Joanna Purdy from the Institute of Public Health (IPH) discuss gambling and mental health, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the potential public health…

Gambling Mental Health