Review into mental health as more young people seek help

Review into mental health as more young people seek help

28 June 2017

THE number of children and young people seeking support for mental health issues in the South Eastern Trust area is increasing.

Ahead of a major review of mental health services across all health trusts in Northern Ireland, it has been confirmed the number seeking support locally increased by 66 during the last financial year.

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma, has launched an independent review of services and support for children and young people’s mental health in Northern Ireland, following concerns that provision is inadequate and access is unequal across Trusts. 

She said after analysing the services and support available “it remains unclear what the scale of mental health need is among our children and young people, how well services are meeting their needs, where the gaps are and what impact support is having on outcomes.”

The Commissioner explained the information gathered through the review will be used to develop recommendations for those responsible for commissioning, planning and delivering mental health services and support.

She continued: “The review offers an unprecedented opportunity for children and young people across Northern Ireland to share their experience of getting or trying to get help for their mental health.

“I urge children and young people aged between 11 and 21, along with their parents and carers in the South Eastern Trust area who have had, or have tried to get help for their mental health, to visit our online survey (NICCY.org/SpeakYourMind) so their experiences are captured and can help shape the future of mental health services.”

It is estimated that over one in five young people in Northern Ireland suffer a significant mental health problem by the time they reach 18. Rates of suicide in under 18s are disproportionately higher in Northern Ireland compared to other parts of the UK, while the number of under 19s presenting to A&E for self harm has also been increasing. And since 2012, there has been a year on year increase of prescribed anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs for under 16s.

Koulla continued: “Despite the lack of official data, it is clear the mental health needs of children and young people are increasing, both in terms of scale and complexity and this has led to greater pressure on services.

“This lack of available data on mental health need and insufficient monitoring and evaluation of mental health services is one of the key challenges facing our mental health system. For example, we don’t know the scale of poor mental health in under 18s because that type of data is not collected.” 

A central part of the review is hearing from children and young people who have had, or have tried to get help for their mental health. It will also look at the operational aspects of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health System, such as how services are used and investment.

“Currently only 7.8 per cent of Northern Ireland’s mental health budget is allocated to services for children and young people’s mental health,” the Commissioner continued.

“This is well below the UK average, approximately10 per cent, despite the fact that rates of poor mental health are reported to be 25 per cent higher in Northern Ireland than in England because of issues like the legacy of the conflict and high rates of poverty. The Department for Health and the previous Health Minister have acknowledged that investment in these services needs to increase.”  

The Commissioner’s Review aims to assess the adequacy of mental health services and support for children and young people across Northern Ireland, highlight good practice and identify barriers which prevent them from fully realising their rights to the highest attainable standard of health.