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4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

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Collaborative Practice and Policy<br />

able people, who already lead the existing workload, are expected to shoulder<br />

the additional responsibilities <strong>of</strong> the cross-border project. The project<br />

management skills required to implement cross-border projects may not be<br />

available from the experience/skills base <strong>of</strong> the promotional organisations.<br />

Strategic barriers identified include the lack <strong>of</strong> a co-ordinated plan for crossborder<br />

work, which should include a sub-regional focus and a multi-sectoral<br />

approach. This plan should be underpinned by a relevant policy framework and a<br />

single control mechanism for the plan’s development budget. While there are<br />

examples <strong>of</strong> co-operation between the voluntary and statutory sectors, the level<br />

<strong>of</strong> co-operation and understanding <strong>of</strong> each other’s activities/objectives is still not<br />

sufficient to build lasting partnerships which can address issues on a cross-border<br />

basis.<br />

This evaluation goes beyond the Peace and Reconciliation Programme and makes<br />

recommendations for the future <strong>of</strong> cross-border work on the island. It takes<br />

account <strong>of</strong> the uncertain political situation as well as potential roles for emerging<br />

and evolving cross-border structures. The strategic recommendations are:<br />

• Influence policy which will be supportive <strong>of</strong> cross-border work.<br />

• The development <strong>of</strong> a co-ordinated plan for cross-border work.<br />

• The development <strong>of</strong> sub regional plans.<br />

• The promotion <strong>of</strong> greater cross-border networking.<br />

• The provision <strong>of</strong> funding for cross-border co-operation on an all-island basis.<br />

• Maintain the role <strong>of</strong> non-governmental bodies in the facilitation <strong>of</strong> crossborder<br />

work and disbursement <strong>of</strong> enabling resources.<br />

• Build on cross-border work supported by Measures 3.1 and 3.4.<br />

• Maintain the East-West dimension <strong>of</strong> cross-border work.<br />

• Raise understanding <strong>of</strong> the roles/remit <strong>of</strong> all organisations involved in crossborder<br />

work.<br />

Lessons from International Findings<br />

International collaboration has occurred in both mental health and in other<br />

health promotion activities. In 1999 the World Psychiatric Association launched<br />

‘Open the Doors’, which was the first-ever global programme against the stigma<br />

and discrimination associated with schizophrenia (Sartorius 1997, cited in WHO<br />

2001). The goals <strong>of</strong> this programme were to increase awareness and knowledge<br />

about the nature <strong>of</strong> schizophrenia and treatment options; to improve public<br />

attitudes to people who have or have had schizophrenia and their families; and<br />

to generate action to eliminate stigma, discrimination and prejudice. The World<br />

Psychiatric Association has produced a step-by-step guide to developing an antistigma<br />

programme, including reports on the experience <strong>of</strong> countries that have<br />

undertaken the programme and information from around the world<br />

on other anti-stigma efforts. The results <strong>of</strong> programmes from<br />

different countries are added to the global database so that<br />

future efforts benefit from previous experience.<br />

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