Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has welcomed the unanimous support for his proposal for a new International Mental Health Centre, during today's debate at the Assembly.
The Strangford MLA said:
"Today's debate echoes my private consultations before and after making the call, namely that everyone agrees there is a need that is currently not being met in full, but the detail of how we provide additional resource needs thrashed out.
"I am delighted that the debate was supported by all present without a vote and look forward to taking the discussions to the next level, which will be more quiet talks with the spokespeople of the main political parties, and experts in the statutory and voluntary sectors.
"It is not for me to say where the Centre should be based, or what functions it should perform. It may well be that the Centre will appear in a multiple of venues. I am in no doubt there is a need for a mixture of treatment, training and research, but again where the balance should lie is something to negotiate.
"Poor mental health is a real issue, it's current and it represents a major element of the legacy of our Troubles past. That much was agreed today. I look forward to taking forward the drive for a solution, together with the other parties of the Executive."