4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

Methodology
• To identify the structures needed for collaboration on:
a) developing best practice and policy
b) key common mental health indicators.
Fourteen representatives from nine organisations with responsibility for the
development of mental health policy and the collection of mental health data in
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were invited to participate in this
roundtable discussion. Also invited were those with responsibility for policy and
data in the Department of Health in England and a representative from STAKES,
Finland, who are co-ordinating the mental health indicators project of the
European Health Monitoring Programme.
Five people from four organisations representing both health departments, North
and South, and data collection agencies attended the meeting. A further three
invitees, representing two organisations which were unable to attend, submitted
reports in advance of the meeting. Another organisation sent a report to the
project researchers after the meeting. Follow-up interviews were carried out with
other key players who were unavailable on the day. The roundtable discussion
meeting was recorded and the tapes then transcribed and analysed using content
analysis. Reports submitted were incorporated into the results, which are
presented in Chapters 5 and 6. A list of all the agencies and organisations who
contributed in person, by phone and who submitted reports for this meeting are
available in Appendix 4.
Newsletter
A newsletter summarising the findings from Phase 1 of the study was compiled
using Microsoft Publisher. This newsletter was circulated to a total of 146 people
from the various organisations involved in health policy, health services and
health promotion activities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Invited Reflections on Phase 1 Findings
Based on the findings of the group discussions at the Armagh study day, a
questionnaire, consisting of both open and closed ended questions, was
developed to further explore the views of the various individuals and
organisations involved in health promotion activities and cross-border projects
(Appendix 3). This questionnaire, which was particularly aimed at inviting views
from those who were unable to attend the Armagh study day, was sent to 114 of
the 146 people/organisations who had also received a copy of the newsletter.
Individuals in both Health Departments, in health boards North and South,
research bodies, voluntary agencies and statutory agencies received this
questionnaire along with a return addressed envelope. Follow up telephone
calls were made to remind people to fill in and return the
questionnaire. 41 fully completed questionnaires were returned.
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