A major step toward integrated mental health policy has been taken as Minister for Mental Health and Government Chief Whip, Mary Butler convened the inaugural meeting of a newly formed ‘Interdepartmental Steering Group for Mental Health’.

The meeting brought together representatives from 14 government departments, along with the HSE, Mental Health Commission and the OPW. The session was chaired by Siobhán McArdle, Assistant Secretary for Social Care, Mental Health, and Unscheduled Care at the Department of Health.

The Steering Group has been established to enhance cross-government collaboration on mental health and to ensure that mental health considerations are embedded across all areas of public policy. The initiative aligns closely with Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, Ireland’s national mental health strategy, which calls for coordinated action across sectors such as housing, education, and social protection.

In addition to supporting the implementation of Sharing the Vision, the Group is expected to play a key role in shaping two forthcoming national policy initiatives: the development of the successor to the suicide reduction strategy Connecting for Life, and the implementation of the mental health promotion plan Pathways to Wellbeing.

Minister Butler said: “We all know that there is no health without mental health – and making progress is not just for the Department of Health or the Government - it’s a whole-of-society issue. I am confident that by bringing together all arms of government, we can ensure that mental wellbeing is considered in every policy, from transport to education, from employment to social protection. This new Steering Group marks a significant step towards building a more coordinated, compassionate, and effective approach to mental health for everyone in Ireland.”
During the meeting, attendees received detailed presentations on each of these policies and engaged in discussions on how best to integrate mental health as a strategic priority within their respective departments. The Group also finalised and agreed upon its Terms of Reference, setting the groundwork for future collaboration.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place in November 2025