Health Minister commends ASCERT’s mission to tackle addiction, support mental health and inspire change

Jillian Patchett-Boyce, ASCERT Chairperson, Gary McMichael, Chief Executive ASCERT, Mary Maginn, ASCERT Youth Interventions Service Manager and John Hunsdale, ASCERT Director of Operations, pictured with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

ASCERT, Northern Ireland’s leading charity dedicated to reducing drug and alcohol-related harm, was honoured to welcome Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, to its head office in Lisburn this week.

The visit marked a significant opportunity to highlight ASCERT’s work in supporting individuals and communities across Northern Ireland who are impacted by substance use and mental health challenges.

The Minister had the opportunity to learn specifically about the work ASCERT’s Steps to Cope service is doing to support young people living with parental substance or mental health issues. This is sometimes referred to as “hidden harm” because these young people’s needs are often not seen and their voices not heard.

Research shows that childhood trauma linked to adversities such as parental substance use and parental mental health problems increases the risk of physical and mental health problems for children. The focus in the family is often on the adult with the addiction or mental health problem, and the needs of the children are not met.

ASCERT developed the Steps to Cope service, and it has proven successful in strengthening young people’s resilience, protecting them from the impact of substance use and mental health issues in their family.

Hidden harm is an area where if we put more focus towards identifying and supporting these young people, they will lead healthier and safer lives, experiencing far more positive outcomes into adulthood.

Gary McMichael, ASCERT Chief Executive said:

“I was delighted that the Health Minister chose to visit ASCERT and learn more about our services supporting people with mental health and substance use issues in the community. He had an opportunity to meet key service staff and discuss the work they are doing, with our services supporting almost 17,000 people last year.

“We discussed the need for more focus on early intervention approaches. All too often when people come to our services, they have been experiencing problems for a long time and are only seeking help when things have reached crisis point. We must put more effort into reaching people earlier, so they can receive support before problems become embedded and are therefore more difficult to address.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:

“I was delighted to visit ASCERT and see the important work it is undertaking in respect of drugs and alcohol interventions across Northern Ireland.

“The harm related to substance use is one of the key public health challenges we face, and I recognise and value the central role that community and voluntary organisations play in the daily delivery of prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery services.”

For more information on ASCERT and the services they provide, please visit www.ascert.biz.