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Cooperative Learning: Service Improvement Leadership for Mental Health
22 September 2010
Minister John Maloney, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, with responsibility for Disability and Mental Health, today attended the award ceremony for a group of participants in an innovative mental health programme, 'Cooperative Learning: Service Improvement Leadership for Mental Health'. As outlined by Liam MacGabhann, this project marks yet another milestone in the history of innovation and partnership between DCU and the HSE in respect of mental health. "The programme involves cooperative learning and uses the 'expertise in the room' to bring about change in the way mental health services are used by service-users, carers and service-providers. All perceptions are heard and listen to in order to bring about a new approach to mental health care", he said.
Speaking at the event, Minister Maloney said that it was important that service-users of mental health services remain at the centre of the government's 'Vision for Change' strategy. He also stressed the importance of securing funding to support collaborative mental health initiatives of this kind.
The 'Cooperative Learning: Service Improvement Leadership for Mental Health' is a novel 'trialogue' initiative involving service-users, carers and service-providers who together can devise new models for care which are most appropriate for each individual case. The project was established by Liam MacGabhann, Paddy McGowan and Jim Walsh, lecturers in DCU's School of Nursing. The project has just been awarded a €100k grant to develop the module and bring it into the community arena.
DCU President, Professor Brian MacCraith, stressed the role of the university in encouraging engagement with external partners in projects that will benefit society at large. "This trialogue project, which is a new concept, and has the full support of the university, in line with its strategy", he said.
"DCU has undertaken a number of new initiatives over the last year to improve the student experience for first year students. These supports enable DCU students, and subsequently graduates, to reach their full potential as citizens in society", he said.
Martin Rogan, Assistant National Director Mental Health, HSE, welcmed the initiative and said, "This new three-way approach makes a 'real' change to 'real' services".