Other News In Brief

TAMHI 'Chosen Charity' Of Belfast Lord Mayor

Belfast's Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy, has announced TAMHI (Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues) as one of his 'chosen charities'.

TAMHI, based in north Belfast uses sport to raise awareness of mental health and promote positive mental fitness, working with sports clubs, schools and youth groups to make mental health fun and engaging.

The charity was set up in 2011 in memory of Thomas "Tammy Tucker" McLaughlin who took his own life in 2009. It delivers workshops, training, talks, games and other activities for grassroots community groups to help them connect with their members and support their mental health.

Lord Mayor Councillor Ryan Murphy said: "I am delighted to announce TAMHI as one of the charities I have chosen for my time in office. While they are based in north Belfast, they provide incredible support for young people and organisations right across the city and beyond.

"According to a recent report published by the Office of the Mental Health Champion, 45.2% of local 16-year-olds meet the criteria for mental ill-health. It also revealed that the wellbeing of 11-year-olds has declined to its lowest level since 2016. The services that TAMHI and other similar organisations provide to build capacity amongst grassroots community organisations to support our young people is therefore crucial.

"TAMHI also does a lot of brilliant work to champion good relations. So, as well as the work they do to address mental health issues, I'm delighted to show my support for the work they do to reduce division within the city."

Speaking on behalf of the charity, Mickey Meehan from TAMHI said: "We have seen first-hand the impact of COVID and now a cost-of-living crisis on young people, and its heart-breaking. We echo the Mental Health Champion's call for full support of the NI Mental Health Strategy. We also commend the Lord Mayor for his focus on mental health and emotional wellbeing and choosing TAMHI as a partner this year to make a positive contribution to tackling mental health issues and promoting positive mindsets."

UUP Welcomes Announcement Of PEACEPLUS Funding

The Ulster Unionist Party's Dr Steve Aiken OBE has welcomed the announcement of PEACEPLUS funding for Northern Ireland.

Dr Aiken said: "The announcement today of PEACEPLUS funding is to be welcomed. That these monies have been promised on many occasions does not detract from today’s belated announcement of spending commitments over the next 4-5 years.

"We also welcome our guests from the EU and from the Republic of Ireland, who have provided around £130m or just over 15% of that total. While there may be a perception that this funding is coming from the largesse of the EU, and 15% is indeed welcome, it must not detract from the fact that the majority of the funding is coming from our own nation. If Maros Šefčovič and Leo Varadkar can find their way to send more funding to help mitigate the impact of the imposition of the Protocol on Northern Ireland, that will also be gratefully accepted."

Alliance Calls For Action On 'Dignity In Dying' Policy In NI

An incoming Executive must work quickly to take urgent action on greater dignity in dying, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has said, after a report from the Centre for Research in Social Policy painted a troubling picture in Northern Ireland and across the UK.

The South Belfast MLA has said: "We heard from Marie Curie this morning about their profound concerns that people face the end of their lives in poverty, a situation exacerbated by the still spiralling cost of living.

"The fact is that those of us elected to the Assembly last year could be scrutinising and advocating for actions which would improve that situation, giving much greater dignity to people in their final days.

"We need to work across departments to improve access to critical support, considering ideas such as a Carers Allowance Supplement, a 'self-care element' to welfare, and removing restrictions on support for mortgage interest loans for terminally ill people. In this way, we can act to remove some of the critical stress factors for people as they enter end-of-life care.

"There can be few higher priorities than ensuring dignity in dying through appropriate support within and beyond the healthcare system. No one who reads the report will fail to recognise the urgency of the issue."