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4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

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Findings from the Investigation <strong>of</strong><br />

Cross-Border Collaborative <strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />

Promotion Practices<br />

The perceived benefits <strong>of</strong> cross-border working include the following:<br />

• Exchange <strong>of</strong> ideas and effective practices including sharing resources in terms<br />

<strong>of</strong> expertise, time and costs. Clearly project members perceive many benefits<br />

to cross-border working as the following comments illustrate:<br />

The project had many benefits including the exchange <strong>of</strong> ideas and effective<br />

practice, learning from each other and sharing resources... and... the<br />

establishing <strong>of</strong> multidisciplinary networks and training on a cross-border basis.<br />

Increased understanding, learning and sharing are all important benefits.<br />

The interaction between pr<strong>of</strong>essionals was inspiring. The enthusiasm displayed<br />

by all health care pr<strong>of</strong>essionals was evident in their willingness to share ideas<br />

and thoughts and to develop a model <strong>of</strong> best practice.<br />

• Establishing relationships and networks across disciplines, pr<strong>of</strong>essionals,<br />

communities, service users and organisations on a cross-border basis. The<br />

benefits <strong>of</strong> working with like-minded people were underscored with an<br />

awareness that even though health workers may be working across different<br />

health systems, they are addressing the same issues.<br />

Within the CAWT area cross-border working is now a way <strong>of</strong> working, not just<br />

an experience...it is very much the way forward.<br />

...realising that all involved are confronting the same issues and that there are<br />

no real differences between their jobs, North and South.<br />

The cross-border projects are seen as strengthening existing relationships and<br />

leading to new ones being established. Most project members report high levels<br />

<strong>of</strong> enthusiasm and good co-operation among the participating organisations and<br />

individual workers.<br />

The group has worked cohesively and there has been a sense <strong>of</strong> value and<br />

importance to the work.<br />

• All were <strong>of</strong> the opinion that there was scope for expansion and many saw the<br />

opportunity for developing new proposals and projects based on their<br />

experiences to date in the current projects.<br />

The network has now been established and it would be important to build on<br />

this and develop other proposals.<br />

Cross-border collaboration is clearly perceived as an opportunity<br />

for developing and promoting best practice on an all-island<br />

basis.<br />

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