Building Community Connections: Social Prescribing Moves to Business as Usual in Ireland's Mental Health Policy
- AISPN
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
On 9 April 2025, the Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler launched the Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone – Implementation Plan 2025 - 2027. Among its many important initiatives, Recommendation 15 marks a significant milestone for the future of community mental health in Ireland.
This is more than just a policy development, it’s a meaningful recognition of the vital role that community and voluntary organisations play in promoting and supporting mental and physical wellbeing. In essence, social prescribing is about treating people, not just symptoms.
From Pilot to National Practice
Since the launch of the HSE’s Social Prescribing Framework in 2021, services have grown dramatically, from just 6 in 2017 to 44 mainstreamed services by the end of 2023, with coverage in every county. In 2023 alone, 5,589 people accessed a social prescribing service, often through their local Family Resource Centres or Partnership Company. With this growth, Recommendation 15 calls for national promotion and deeper integration of social prescribing within the broader mental health system.
This includes:
Developing user-led, responsive services
Ongoing collaboration between HSE Health and Wellbeing, community and voluntary organisations, and HSE Health Regions
Continued training, support and evaluation of social prescribing
Supporting the People Who Support Others
A key aspect of the service model is the social prescribing link worker, who builds a one-on-one relationship with service users to help them identify personal goals and connect with relevant community supports. To ensure these frontline workers are equipped and supported, several training and networking initiatives have been launched.
These include:
Project ECHO: An online peer-learning network providing regular learning and peer support.
HSE LAND Module: A tailored e-learning course for health professionals on social prescribing.
Healthlink Integration: Development of a digital referral form to streamline GP referrals.
Looking Ahead 2025–2027:
Now officially part of Ireland’s health infrastructure, social prescribing services will continue to expand. The focus for the next phase includes:
Scaling access through HSE Health Regions and Community Healthcare Networks
Developing a national digital referral and data management system
Investing in research, including a realist evaluation by the University of Galway to better understand what works, for whom, and in what context
This ongoing work will ensure that social prescribing in Ireland remains evidence-based, person-centred, and community-driven.
The transition of social prescribing to business as usual is a win for community development, a win for partnership, and most importantly a win for people.
Follow the link to read the full 'Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone' Implementation Plan 2025 – 2027.