National mental health charity Shine has launched its strategic plan 2023-2025, entitled 'Empowering voices, driving change'.
This new progressive and innovative strategy, which has been welcomed by Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler, reflects a new approach for the organisation, putting a strong emphasis on elevating the voice of lived experience and boldly embracing language around mental illness.
Shine is a national organisation providing information and support for people affected by mental health difficulties since 1979.
It supports individuals and family members through individual recovery work, peer support groups, training and education and stigma reduction programmes.
Shine also advocates for social change by promoting and defending the rights of all those affected by mental health difficulties to equal support and quality services. It is the only national mental health organisation specifically founded to support all family members.
See Change
The national programme See Change campaign run by Shine is aimed at ending the stigma around mental health. The main objective is to change public attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health problems for the better.
There are a number of ambassadors from the farming community involved in this programme.
Along with this, the charity also campaigns for the responsible reporting and representation of mental ill health in the Irish media through the national programme Headline.
Conversations around languages
Through the adaption of a fundamental shift in how they work and advocate on behalf of individuals with lived experiences of mental health, Shine CEO Nicola Byrne said: “Our recent research on the use of terminology revealed that ‘mental illness’ is the preferred descriptor among individuals with lived experience, promoting equity with the term ‘physical illness’.
“Shine believes that a shift in language will challenge the often-damaging perception that individuals with mental illness can face, such as feeling ‘different’, and will help to facilitate empathy and understanding.
"With this new language, we as a society can begin to embrace a renewed and better approach to support and understand the realities for those living with mental illness.”
Shine believes that people with lived experience of mental ill health have invaluable knowledge and can offer powerful insights to improve mental health supports and services in Ireland.
Giving a voice to influence change
As part of the new strategic plan, Shine is striving to promote the voice of lived experience to shape and influence policy, research, legislation and mental health theory and practice in Ireland.
Minister Butler said; “I warmly welcome the launch of Shine’s new strategic plan, which provides a solid foundation for continuing the invaluable work the organisation has undertaken to enhance the mental health of the population over the past 40 years.
“The person-centred compassionate approach outlined in this document is one which is close to my heart as minister and which resonates with sharing the vision, our national mental health policy.
“The focus on measurable outcomes, as well as lived experience, underscores the forward-thinking nature of Shine’s strategic vision, one which I am happy to support as minister, and which I look forward to seeing implemented.
"Shine’s commitment is to amplify the voice of individuals with lived experience of mental illness, creating better services and understanding, leading to increased acceptance.
"Together, we are creating a brighter future for those who need us and positively shaping the conversation around mental health."
For more information, visit Shine.ie.
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National mental health charity Shine has launched its strategic plan 2023-2025, entitled 'Empowering voices, driving change'.
This new progressive and innovative strategy, which has been welcomed by Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler, reflects a new approach for the organisation, putting a strong emphasis on elevating the voice of lived experience and boldly embracing language around mental illness.
Shine is a national organisation providing information and support for people affected by mental health difficulties since 1979.
It supports individuals and family members through individual recovery work, peer support groups, training and education and stigma reduction programmes.
Shine also advocates for social change by promoting and defending the rights of all those affected by mental health difficulties to equal support and quality services. It is the only national mental health organisation specifically founded to support all family members.
See Change
The national programme See Change campaign run by Shine is aimed at ending the stigma around mental health. The main objective is to change public attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health problems for the better.
There are a number of ambassadors from the farming community involved in this programme.
Along with this, the charity also campaigns for the responsible reporting and representation of mental ill health in the Irish media through the national programme Headline.
Conversations around languages
Through the adaption of a fundamental shift in how they work and advocate on behalf of individuals with lived experiences of mental health, Shine CEO Nicola Byrne said: “Our recent research on the use of terminology revealed that ‘mental illness’ is the preferred descriptor among individuals with lived experience, promoting equity with the term ‘physical illness’.
“Shine believes that a shift in language will challenge the often-damaging perception that individuals with mental illness can face, such as feeling ‘different’, and will help to facilitate empathy and understanding.
"With this new language, we as a society can begin to embrace a renewed and better approach to support and understand the realities for those living with mental illness.”
Shine believes that people with lived experience of mental ill health have invaluable knowledge and can offer powerful insights to improve mental health supports and services in Ireland.
Giving a voice to influence change
As part of the new strategic plan, Shine is striving to promote the voice of lived experience to shape and influence policy, research, legislation and mental health theory and practice in Ireland.
Minister Butler said; “I warmly welcome the launch of Shine’s new strategic plan, which provides a solid foundation for continuing the invaluable work the organisation has undertaken to enhance the mental health of the population over the past 40 years.
“The person-centred compassionate approach outlined in this document is one which is close to my heart as minister and which resonates with sharing the vision, our national mental health policy.
“The focus on measurable outcomes, as well as lived experience, underscores the forward-thinking nature of Shine’s strategic vision, one which I am happy to support as minister, and which I look forward to seeing implemented.
"Shine’s commitment is to amplify the voice of individuals with lived experience of mental illness, creating better services and understanding, leading to increased acceptance.
"Together, we are creating a brighter future for those who need us and positively shaping the conversation around mental health."
For more information, visit Shine.ie.
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