Siobhán O'Neill (she/her) @profsiobhanon Twitter profile

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

3 months

I have written today to each of the newly appointed Ministers to the NI Assembly, to offer my congratulations, and to request a meeting to discuss the role of their Departments in relation to mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention. @MHC_NI

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

Delighted to announce that I've been appointed as NI's Mental Health Champion💛 The strategies are here, we need to see them implemented in full. There's much work ahead, but so much to be hopeful for. Thank you @RobinSwannMoH & NI Executive for trusting me with this role.

Mental Health Champion for NI

@MHC_NI

3 years

✨Health Minister @RobinSwannMoH appoints @profsiobhanon the new Mental Health Champion for NI✨ @healthdpt

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Delighted to be appointed as the interim Mental Health Champion for NI. I’m looking forward to working across Depts to promote well being, to ensure that people with mental health difficulties receive good quality, evidence based care & to support the mental health workforce.

Department of Health

@healthdpt

4 years

Professor Siobhán O’Neill, Professor of Mental Health Sciences at @UlsterUni , has accepted the role of interim Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland. READ MORE:

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

6 years

I know I’m like a broken record, but in NI we have the highest suicide rates in the UK, yet I was informed yesterday that we have around half the proportion of our health budget allocated to #mentalhealth as the other UK regions. #wedeservebetter #StoppingMaleSuicide

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

Excellent data visualisation project showing the extent of the trauma suffered by the NI population during the Troubles. It’s no surprise that our rate of #mentalillness is so high. We must never risk returning to violence. #Brexit #Thread

Rachel Lavin

@RachelLavin

5 years

How violence spread over 30 years of The Troubles - every scaled red dot is a fatal terror attack. No part of Northern Ireland was left untouched. D3 map developed from previous code with @cboutaud , data from @START_UMD . Read the full story here:

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

Dad passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness. I’m therefore going offline for a while. Take care.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

#Derry has spoken #RIPLyraMcKee #NotInOurName

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

1. Thinking this morning, about all the LGBTQIA+ people in NI who are witnessing debate about sexual orientation & identity. Know that you are perfect. You do not need to be fixed, cured or prayed for. #BanConversionTherapy

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

1/2 Just been asked in an interview about the AQE tests what I would say to parents. I talked about the usual self care & stress management stuff. This is what I should’ve said. Tell your children that you love them, & that their worth isn’t based on the results of any exam.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

I stand in support of @naomi_long & in condemnation of vile, misogynist, personal attacks on women in public life.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

On #TransAwarenessWeek a shout out to transgender people in Northern Ireland. Trans people have always been with us. Sadly, they can have a higher risk of mental health difficulties as a result of transphobia, discrimination, lack of gender affirming services & misinformation.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Thanks for all the messages of support. I look forward to working with and for the people of Northern Ireland as Interim Mental Health Champion. It’s a huge honour.

Department of Health

@healthdpt

4 years

New Interim Mental Health Champion @profsiobhanon talks about the challenge ahead and how she hopes to hear about people’s mental health experiences.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Klopp on anxiety: “you are very thoughtful and also very caring and when you have these qualities it is difficult to avoid getting nervous”. Perfect.

Gareth Noble

@GarNob

4 years

Jürgen Klopp’s letter to a young lad starting secondary school who has severe anxiety

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

Tonight I can’t stop thinking about the tragedy in #Creeslough . I know many of you are feeling the trauma of it too. Devastating 💔

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

#LyraMcKee loved Harry Potter. This was her very special Christmas present to my baby last year: “I hope you find as much magic in his story as I did”. RIP Aunty Lyra.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

@anjola_i Nonsense. My 2 year old already knows about the many different ways to be a family. No difficulty with it whatsoever.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

The children are feeling it. Even the toddlers know something is up at this stage. Mine hasn’t played with another child in over 3 weeks. They need us to be present & play with them, now more than ever. Being a “working” #ParentInAPandemic is tough. 🌈💜 #COVID19

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

My thoughts are with the relatives and friends of the nine people who were killed in my local village, Claudy, 50 years ago, and all those who continue to suffer as a result of the trauma that day. #ClaudyBomb

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

I am pleading with those schools who plan to use transfer tests for admission in 2021, to prioritise children’s mental health & use alternative criteria. These children have had a hugely stressful year. Do not add to the pressure. Give them a xmas 🎅.

Mental health champion calls on schools to 'reconsider' tests | ITV News

Northern Ireland’s mental health champion says primary and secondary school pupils should not be sitting exams this year. | UTV News

www.itv.com

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

🤔On restarting young people’s extra curricular activities remember... The group with the highest rts of emotional difficulties are adolescent girls. They are less likely to participate in group sports. Arts, music, dance, gymnastics, drama etc are ALL vital for wellbeing.💛

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

Please listen.... Change the narrative - back to school should be about supporting wellbeing with play, creativity & reconnection. Covid: Catch-up narrative putting 'huge pressure' on children, psychologists say - BBC News

Covid: Catch-up narrative putting 'huge pressure' on children, psychologists say

The British Psychological Society warns against reinforcing the notion that school pupils are "behind".

www.bbc.com

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

⏺ Reporting on a story abt #suicide ? Please follow @samaritans media guidelines to reduce risk of copycat deaths ⏺ If you, or someone you know is in a dark place call @samaritans or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

STOP OBSESSIVELY SCROLLING THROUGH TWITTER Protect your Mental Health. #mentalhealth #COVID19

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

1 year

1000s of our children left feeling like failures this weekend. Schools & parents tasked with rebuilding confidence. Shocking that we still put children in NI through unregulated transfer tests given the mental health impact. #EverySchoolAGoodSchool

Professor Siobhán O’Neill: Towards a New Definition of Excellence: Part 2

IT is necessary for me, as Mental Health Champion, to highlight the compelling mental health arguments to end academic selection using transfer tests, and to urge the Review of Education to address...

www.irishnews.com

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

It is shocking that despite the evidence of the mental health impact of the pandemic for children, & the very high rates of Covid across NI, AQE are forging ahead with the mass academic testing of 10 & 11 year olds next weekend.

Transfer test: Pupils to sit AQE test on 9 January

AQE is to proceed with the tests as planned despite homeschooling returning in the first week of January.

www.bbc.com

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

7 weeks until the transfer tests. How, in all conscience, can we justify putting 10 & 11 year old children through this unnecessary stress & pressure in the time of a pandemic? The schools who plan to use these tests should make alternative arrangements urgently.

Graham Gault

@drgrahamgault

3 years

Less than 7 weeks away, in the inequitable context of Covid. This isn’t selection/rejection for a football team or a choir. For 10/11 year old children, it feels like their entire futures are on the line. Those responsible for this have had 9 months to come up with a Plan B.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

#LyraMcKee was the first to note that more people died by suicide since the GFA, than died in the Troubles. I spoke to her many times abt suicide, she cared abt the complexity, she took a responsible approach to reporting it. She genuinely cared #RIPLyra

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

"This too shall pass" ...but in the meantime it's important to reflect on how we are coping, recognise when we are struggling or in crisis, and ask for support. See for more. We'll #GetThroughThisTogether

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

In memory of those we have lost. In honour of the survivors. To show my support for #SuicidePrevention . #LightaCandle #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

At the vigil for #LyraMcKee in #Derry All the parties stand together in solidarity. I wonder what she would’ve thought...

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Really productive meeting with Health Minister Swann to discuss new Review of the evidence & recommendations for #SuicidePrevention in NI. I emphasised the need to work with with academic experts & apply the research evidence. The Minister is committed to addressing this issue.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Thanks again for all the lovely messages & suggestions regarding my new role. There are too many to reply to individually, but I assure you that I have read every single one & am very grateful. There’s some paperwork to sort out but I plan to start the work in August 🌈❤️.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

Is it me, or is the #Eurovision just completely wonderfully brilliant this year?

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Just recorded this message for you on a difficult #WorldMentalHealthDay . People do care. We are working to make things better. #BeKind . Join me & be a #MentalHealthChampion . Look after your mental health & help others ask for help💛 Lifeline 0808 808 800 @Samaritans 116 123

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

In other news, we have been successful in obtaining funding from @uk_mrc to establish #FutureMinds , a young peoples' mental health research network for NI. One of our first tasks will be to work with young people to identify mental health research priorities here. @UlsterUni

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Reports that 33 (or 35) people have died by suicide in NI in a week are untrue. Please don't share this figure or associated images. These posts can cause distress & contribute to suicide clusters. For 24 support call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

On the last night of my holidays - a little montage of some of the good times I had with my wee Annabel. It’s been a tough enough single mamma journey, and I am so grateful for the joy she brings me. 💛

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

I attended today’s vigil for Ashling Murphy in solidarity with her family and friends, and to affirm my commitment to work to address men’s violence against women and girls. #RIPAshlingMurphy 💔

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

Absolutely relevant to NI. Research showing that trauma exposure in parents increases risk of mental illness in offspring. I’ve argued in several reports that we must address the effects of transgenerational trauma & ACEs in order to flourish as a society.

Phil Anderson

@Dr_PhilAnderson

5 years

Relevant to NI? Evidence of impact of transgenerational trauma (complex PTSD) from Rwandan Tutsi genocide (1994) - young persons not even born in 1994 were among most affected. CPTSD includes; disturbed attachment relationships, emotional dysregulation & negative self-concepts

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

💛Too many of our children are really struggling. 🌞 We need to plan now for free summer programmes, for all children & young people, to support their mental health, & help them reconnect with their friends. My statement for #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek 👇

Mental Health Champion for NI

@MHC_NI

3 years

Tomorrow is the beginning of #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek @profsiobhanon highlights the need for us to focus our attentions on improving children and young people's mental health and wellbeing, as a group who have lost so much in the past year.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

New review of research on #suicide in #NorthernIreland by myself & @suicideresearch - with evidence based recommendations on what we need to do to drive the rates down. Looking forward to discussing this with Minister @RobinSwannMfH later today.

The Lancet Psychiatry

@TheLancetPsych

4 years

“The high suicide rates in #NorthernIreland are connected not only to the Troubles, but also to the legacy of the violence, including substance use and deprivation.” This new Review by @profsiobhanon & @suicideresearch is FREE w/email reg. #mentalhealth

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Worth sharing. Suicide reporting guidelines exist for a reason. To save lives. The main message should be that people who are suicidal should ask for help. Avoid the use of sensationalising terms such as “epidemic” & “skyrocketing”.

Why Suicide Reporting Guidelines Matter

{OG: Description}

www.nami.org

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Especially for anyone who is feeling sad this evening - from Annabel & I. Try to remember your favourite things. This too shall pass. #COVID19 #ParentingInAPandemic

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Great footage from Wuhan. Our healthcare workers are vital to getting through this, so we need to do everything we can to support them. This too shall pass. #COVID19 #COVID_19uk #coronaUK

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

10 months

Interesting facts on anti-depressants in NI, from today's prescribing statistics report 📰 1 in 5 people in NI had an anti-depressant prescription in 2022/23 25% of women 14.8% of men Highest in 45-64 age group ⚠️38.6% of women aged 45-64 years⚠️

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Today is a very important day for #SuicidePrevention in #NorthernIreland as we launch the Regional Towards #ZeroSuicide initiative across mental health services.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

It’s #TransferTest results day in Northern Ireland & my reminder to parents to tell your children that you love them, & that their worth isn’t based on the results of any exam. Thinking of all the children who are left devastated today.😢

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

With the flick of a switch #Christmas comes to #Derry 💛

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

I'm very concerned about the current focus on how children can catch up when schools re-open. We must prioritise mental health which is the foundation for learning. Prof Barry Carpenter's recovery curriculum shows us how. It starts with relationships.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

I wrote to @niexecutive today in support of a #vaccinepassport system in NI as part of a series of mitigations to protect the vulnerable, to reduce the levels of serious illness, to avoid further lockdowns, and to protect health services.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

Many of you will be struggling at the prospect of the holiday season ahead. This, from @matthaig1 may be useful. Also check out And remember @samaritans are waiting for your call.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

As 2020 draws to a close, I am thinking about all those for whom this year has brought suffering, pain, isolation, illness, trauma & grief. In 2021 we must prioritise mental health, both individually & collectively. Stay safe. Be kind to yourself & each other 💛. #GoodBye2020

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

1/2 Lots of talk about the mental health implications of #SocialDistancing or #Shielding / #Cocooning . Let’s be clear, the mental health implications of what will happen if we fail to follow the guidelines will be much worse.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

Good Morning Northern Ireland ☀️ A little reminder to protect your well-being today. Focus on the things you can control & try to avoid “doomsrolling”. Here’s Annabel with a reminder of the #Take5Steps to well-being. Connect, Stay Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice, Give. 💛

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

45% of LGBT kids in NI do not feel safe in school. A shocking statistic from John O'Doherty @TRPNI . Safety is fundamental to wellbeing and a necessary condition for learning.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

My favourite #CallTheMidwife - doing #mentalillness & stigma again tonight. The mind is a complex and delicate organ and it needs the same care as any other organ in the body. Preach Dr Turner! @StephenMcGann 💙

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

🔸My piece in today’s Irish News. 🔸The fear & misinformation promoted by Covid deniers poses the biggest risk to mental health. 🔸From a mental health perspective the top priority should be children/young people (schools plus other activities).

Covid-19: Decision-makers must weigh up risk of mental health difficulties associated with restri...

PLATFORM Professor Siobhan O'Neill Interim Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland WE are now recognising that the pandemic, and its effects, are likely to be with us for longer than we initially...

www.irishnews.com

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

⚠️We have entered one of the most difficult phases of this pandemic. 💛Anxiety is to be expected. Be kind to yourself & use the #Take5Steps to protect your mental health. 👍Check out for more. 🏠Stay at home & stay safe. We’ll #GetThroughThisTogether

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

1 in 4 children in NI live in poverty. 1 in 8 young people have a mental health problem (pre-pandemic). Emotional & behavioural problems twice as high in deprived areas (16.5% vs 7.8%). Learning/ curiosity are not possible in a state of biological dysregulation. #policyni

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

Heard a little bit of @BBCTalkback earlier today, & wanted to clarify a couple of points that one commentator made. 1. There is no evidence of "mass levels of suicide" in NI or elsewhere (rts haven't changed). 2. We can still have fun (we may need to be a bit more creative).

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Many families, including our own, are facing the “empty chair” this #Christmas . Or the sadness of knowing that this will be the last Christmas with someone (we had this last year). This article is nice. You are not alone. #Grief

Christmas grief: Coping with the empty chair

Losing a loved one can make the festive season extremely hard to face for some families.

www.bbc.com

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

“The failure to provide appropriate and timely mental health care to people who have trauma-related mental illnesses and to provide early intervention for vulnerable families and children will cost us dearly.” My letter in @TheLancetPsych with @ProfNRooney

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

1 year

I've been informed that our Healthy Happy Minds primary school counselling programme, which made such huge difference to many children with poor mental health, will end on 31 March. It's a massive loss, & of course I've written to the Perm Sec to ask if anything can be done.💔

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

As #WorldSuicidePreventionDay ends, we remember the deceased, those left behind, & everyone who struggles with suicidal pain. Our vision is that no one dies alone & in despair by suicide. Through research, effective treatment & excellent services we can make this a reality💛.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

😔Sadly, it’s is again time to point out that conversion therapy is unethical & harmful. 🏳️‍🌈Homophobia is unacceptable. We must create an inclusive NI where all our people are respected & valued. See @NIBPS statement on conversion therapy 👇

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

2/2 Tell them that you will protect them, & that many people are working hard to get us through this pandemic safely. Listen & hear their worries. Help them to problem solve. Do something fun with them. Make sure that they have a way of connecting with their own friends safely.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

@AmandaFBelfast The transfer test should have been cancelled on mental health grounds a long time ago.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

There’s a cluster in our local area. Please wear a mask to keep me safe & I’ll wear one to keep you safe. #MaskUp #WearAMaskSaveALife & the hair appointment had to be postponed too...

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

1. Today I asked a group of women in Hydebank what advice they would give to us, as we face into a few of weeks of restrictions on our freedoms. The answers - we need to get on with it. There’s nothing we can do about it. Make the best of it.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

My own child is sleeping, & I've now finished a statement on the transfer tests. It's vital that the response is solution focused & not tainted by my anger/ weariness, so I'll not be putting it out until morning. I'll be interviewed on @bbcradioulster after dropoff (8am+).

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

@salihughes We do seem to have tipped over some sort of mental health threshold, uncertainty, lack of trust, unrelenting anxiety, a destabilisation (not all bad) and the ending of furlough with no childcare... Difficult for people.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

🧵A thread from my evidence to #EducationCommittee this morning: 🧠It is biologically impossible for children to learn when they are in a state of acute stress or anxiety - & that’s where too many of our children are right now.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Incredible shifts towards #remain parties in NI, overshadowed by a devastating result in the UK, particularly for the poor, marginalised & vulnerable. #UnitedIreland is trending. This will be an emotional day for many. Be kind. #GE2019

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Thanks @News_Letter & Joanne Savage, for a detailed interview on what I hope to do as Mental Health Champion.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

The illustration of my Keynote from #SuicidePrevention21 on mental health & suicidal behaviour in Northern Ireland! Thanks Paul Telling - this is fab. 💛

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

A reminder that suicide is complex & we should never make inferences about the causes. Long Covid has a mental health impact. Overwhelming the health service puts staff mental health at risk. #Marr #NadhimZahawi *also it’s inappropriate to refer to “committing” suicide

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Morning! Try to have a pleasant Saturday. Get outside if you’re able. I’ll be spending it with this little hero. #ParentingInAPandemic

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

In @FoylesideSC #Derry “Mummy mummy look it’s the coronavirus”.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

It is deeply poignant that today, #WSPD2019 sees the publication of NI's #SuicidePrevention strategy. Many thanks to all those involved. Now, let's get to work!

Suicides: Plan revealed to reduce number of deaths

Health department sets new target to cut number of deaths by 10% in five years.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

What a wonderful day!

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

My most memorable moment this year was hearing “mamma” for the first time. #HappyNewYear #2018Memory

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Good morning. Have a beautiful day ❤️🌈. Don’t let hate win.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Tears today for the great #JohnHume . He was a man of vision, courage & tenacity. It is impossible to overstate his role in securing our peace. Let his life be an inspiration to all who are working to achieve a better NI & a reminder that we must never ever give up hope.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

#LostLives - a v-important film that will also be distressing & triggering. It’s been a tough weekend on NI Twitter. Mind yourself & know that it’s ok to switch over too. ❤️x

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

How it started. How it's going. #YoungEnvironmentalist #MentalHealthChampion #StillNotSmiling 😊

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

Such a horrendous weekend for Northern Ireland. Incomprehensible & devastating loss of young lives in #Carlingford #Toome & #Cookstown . Thoughts are with all those impacted. Extra hugs for my baby tonight.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

I’m still trying to get my head around this one. Are we seriously asking 10/11 year olds to undergo these tests, which are brutal at the best of times, now, in a pandemic? Let’s use this opportunity to revolutionise the system in NI & abolish selection once & for all.

Eamonn Mallie

@EamonnMallie

4 years

#Covid19 ... Archbishop Eamonn Martin @ArchbishopEamon says “IT’s CRUEL” to expect children to have to undertake the Transfer Test this year arguing children have not been in school since mid March and may not be fully re-integrated back into school until well into September.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

Yesterday - the first beach day of the year! 🏖 🌤 #joy #hope

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

A little Christmas message from me (and my little one, who popped in at the end). Keep safe and have a peaceful break. 💛🎄🎅

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Thought for the day. #SelfCompassion

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

Pleased to be part of a unified voice against bullying in NI. #AntiBullyingWeek , #OneKindWord #OddSocksDay (& also, all lured with my #ShopLocalCard #trafficpeople dress frm Rós Oír #Dungiven )💛✅

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

The attack on Belfast Multicultural Centre is an attack on some of our most marginalised people. It’s appalling, and should only serve to strengthen our commitment to creating an inclusive, diverse Northern Ireland.

BBC News NI

@BBCNewsNI

3 years

Fire that caused significant damage to Belfast Multi-Cultural Association building was deliberate hate crime, say police

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

2 years

One thing that would be helpful, from a mental health perspective, is for commentators to use phrases referring to “restrictions” rather than “lockdown”. #Omicron

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

Happy Valentine’s Day to my Twitter friends; whoever you love, however you love - always remember to love yourself & look after your mental health. More later x💛

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

The spend on mental health is £160 per person in NI, compared with £220 per person in England (from @healthdpt draft mental health strategy). Many studies show that we have more mental illness, and more severe, trauma-related mental illness here.

Niall McCracken

@Niall_journo

3 years

Speaking on @bbcradioulster @profsiobhanon said these figures ultimately reflect the "under investment" in mental heath services in Northern Ireland. Says emergency departments can be "completely inappropriate environments" for those who are in mental health crisis.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

Brilliant!

Richard Chambers

@newschambers

3 years

The German Government's new #COVID19 campaign is very clever and, dare I say it, funny.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

I’m prepping for presentation tomorrow abt impact of the pandemic on children & young people. Research consistently shows how young people are experiencing poorer wellbeing than other groups. Please prioritise keeping their schools & services open. 💛

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

3 years

Good Morning & happy Saturday whatever you’re up to. Here’s a little Christmas song from Annabel! ❤️🎅🎄

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

Writing or commenting abt suicide in NI? Pls inform yourself of the facts. NI’s suicide rate is not rising, as the data from NISRA & @samaritans shows. The media guidance is based on solid research showing how unsafe media reporting leads to additional suicides.

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

5 years

Welcome to day 3 of #IASP2019 ! This is what morning looks like from my home in the hills outside #Derry . I’ll be back in soon (after dropping my toddler off at childcare) to talk about suicide in public places and the region Towards #ZeroSuicide collaborative group. 💛

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Siobhán O'Neill (she/her)

@profsiobhanon

4 years

✅Some points frm @samaritans media guidance re celebrity suicide ✅The causes of suicide are never simple. Attributing blame is rarely helpful & can cause harm ✅Most people don’t act on suicidal thoughts. They are a sign that something needs to change- call Samaritans 116 123

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