Ireland Signs WHO Declaration to Integrate Mental Health Across All Government Policies

Ireland has committed to embedding mental health considerations into all government policies after Minister Mary Butler signed a landmark WHO declaration on behalf of the country at a high-level European conference in Paris.

The Government Chief Whip and Minister for Mental Health travelled to the French capital to represent Ireland at the two-day WHO Europe conference on 16-17 June, where she showcased successful Irish initiatives that demonstrate cross-departmental collaboration in mental health support.

During her presentation to European counterparts, Minister Butler highlighted Ireland's achievement in providing supported housing to approximately 500 people with enduring mental health difficulties in 2024, a collaborative effort between the Department of Health, Department of Housing, Local Authorities, and the HSE.

She also drew attention to an innovative pilot programme in Limerick, where the HSE and An Garda Síochána have developed the CAST initiative, a joint clinical and police response to mental health crises. The programme is already showing success in diverting people away from busy emergency departments and the criminal justice system.

Mary Butler said:

"It's really important mental health is considered in all government decisions, not just in health, but in areas like housing, employment, justice, and the environment. Our mental wellbeing is affected by many parts of our daily lives, such as whether we have a safe place to live, an adequate income, access to education, and clean, green spaces."

The Minister emphasised that by including mental health considerations across all government policies, Ireland can help create a fairer and healthier society where people receive support at an early stage.

Butler added:

"We have made a lot of progress in mental health in Ireland compared to some of our counterparts in Europe and I'm encouraged by the interest and feedback from other EU Member States in the reform and improvement agenda we are pursuing."

The WHO declaration builds on Ireland's existing comprehensive mental health framework, which includes three key policies: Sharing the Vision (Ireland's 10-year mental health policy running from 2020-2030), Connecting for Life (the national suicide reduction strategy), and Pathways to Wellbeing (Ireland's first mental health promotion plan, published in December 2024).

Minister Butler joined her counterparts from Armenia, France, Lithuania, Malta and Moldova at the conference, alongside EU Commission officials and representatives from across Europe, Iceland and Norway. The gathering also included policymakers from various government sectors, health professionals and people with lived experience of mental health conditions.

The conference represents Ireland's continued commitment to international collaboration on mental health, with the country actively contributing to WHO Europe initiatives including guidance on digital mental health supports and a forthcoming roadmap on transforming mental health through lived experience, due for launch on 30 June 2025.