Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action taken by her Department to combat the stigma associated with mental illness since the publication of A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17629/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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"A Vision for Change" the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which was launched in January 2006, recommends that mental health promotion programmes should focus on those interventions known to enhance protective factors and decrease risk factors for developing mental health problems.

During 2006, the National Office for Suicide Prevention progressed planning for an all-island mental health awareness campaign. Phase One of the campaign was launched in March 2007 with the launch of a TV advert campaign both here and in Northern Ireland. Development of Phase Two of the campaign is being led by the National Office for Suicide Prevention and commenced with launch of a national public attitudes survey on mental health in April, 2007. The aim of the campaign is to develop, in conjunction with voluntary organisations, a national multimedia campaign to combat the stigma of mental health and to encourage the seeking of help.