Mr. Niall Mulligan:

The Deputy asked a question about stigma and this issue is close to our hearts. I have worked within the community and voluntary sector for 35 years in many different areas. Stigma is always a key barrier to people accessing services. That includes external stigma, which might relate to mental health, addiction or people's background or upbringing. Internalised stigma is a whole other area. Even if external stigma is cleared away, internalised stigma brings people in on themselves. It is crucial for us to deal with that issue through the provision of services and to recognise it and to name it. Stigma, therefore, is a major issue. It is one of the key areas that has been recognised within the mental health strategy as something that we must do something about. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue.