An online portal has been launched by one of our longtime partners, the PPR’s 123GP campaign, to allow counsellors and clients to share their stories about counselling in Northern Ireland.

PPR hopes it will provide a space for people to tell their stories about engaging with mental health system in Northern Ireland, providing powerful testimony to illustrate the importance of counselling to policy makers ahead of the publication of the 10-year Mental Health Strategy in July. 

It's building on the work of the Consensus on Counselling statement – a united call for the new Mental Health Strategy to include firm commitments on counselling, which we strongly support.

The statement achieved widespread cross-party political support in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Steve Mulligan, Our Four Nations Lead, said: “We're longstanding supporters of PPR’s 123GP campaign, to help ensure timely and easy access to counselling across Northern Ireland, and proud signatories of their Consensus on Counselling, which has gained universal political and civic support since launching in February.

"The Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA, has positively committed to delivering a strategy which is both person-centred and informed by patient and professional experience. This new portal provides a valuable opportunity to ensure the voices of counsellors and clients are heard.

"We'd like to encourage our members across Northern Ireland to share their experiences and help strengthen the case for the new Mental Health Strategy to deliver increased and sustainable investment in counselling services, ensuring people and communities get the urgent support they so urgently need."  

Read more about PPR’s campaign on the online portal, where you can also share your own stories and get involved with these important developments.