With the support from eMEN partners, Mental Health Reform (MHR), Arq Foundation (lead partner) and Interapy from the Netherlands visited several locations of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland from 14-16 March.
The visiting team from the Netherlands was led by the eMEN project leader Oyono Vlijter (Arq), and three e-mental health implementation specialists: Dr. Manon Boeschoten, Reina Fennema (Arq) and the Innovation Director from Interapy, Bart Schrieken and were hosted by Dr. Michael Byrne, HSE.
Ireland is currently dealing with long waiting lists for mental health treatment and high levels of unmet need. E-mental health can reduce the waiting lists, provide more treatment, choice and better accessibility for all citizens.
The HSE has prioritised e-mental health in its Operational Plan for 2017. Several pilot implementation details and challenges were discussed and it was agreed to further fine tune the implementation strategy for the eMEN pilots in Ireland.
In the coming months the eMEN implementation team will visit the other project partners to discuss the implementation of team product pilots.