SDLP: Child Mental Health Is In Crisis

More must be done to tackle the "mental health crisis" among children in Northern Ireland, an SDLP MLA has warned.

Sinead Bradley's plea to Health Minister Robin Swann comes after a report found that suicide rates among young people in Northern Ireland are the highest in the UK.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's latest report revealed that the suicide rate for people aged 15-24 was 17.8 per every 100,000 here in 2018, a jump from 17.2 the previous year.

This figure is over double the rate in England at 8.1 and also exceeds that of Wales (9.7) and Scotland (15.1).

The report called for improved services for the mental health of children and young people in order to identify concerns and signpost those in need towards helpful resources before they reach crisis point.

Half of adult mental health problems start before the age of 14, while 75% begin to take hold before the age of 24.

An extract from the report on mental health stated: "Increased public discourse on mental health is aimed at reducing stigma around discussing mental health concerns and improving understanding of individual experience. As more young people are able to recognise their mental health and wellbeing concerns, there should be adequate services available to meet growing demand."

Upon release of the figures, SDLP Health spokesperson Sinead Bradley demanded action to tackle the "rife inequalities" across society.

"It is incredibly worrying that that suicide rate among young people in the North has increased in the last number of years. It is also the highest rate in the UK," the MLA for south Down said.

"There are some positive elements in this report, including the decrease in child poverty and the lower levels of alcohol and smoking, but for the most part it is a worrying read.

"Dr Nethercott, on behalf of the RCPCH, has made it clear that it was a struggle to ensure child health was on the agenda when there was no Executive for three long years. It is welcome that we are back to work and can take decisions and direct investment in a way that will improve these appalling statistics."

The RCPCH welcomed the return of the NI Executive and set out demands for reduced child health inequalities, the prioritisation of public health, prevention and early intervention and the establishment of local, cross-sector services.

Ms Bradley added: "I will be seeking to engage with Health Minister Swann and colleagues on the Health Committee to discuss the rife inequalities across our society and the impact this has on the health and wellbeing of our young people. We must do better."

Infant mortality rates, a measure of deaths of children under one year of age, also remain the highest in Northern Ireland.

For every 1,000 live births, it's reported that 4.2 will result in infant mortality, a decrease from 4.8 in 2017.

Meanwhile, we are the only region to have seen a decrease in child poverty, by one percentage point to 24%, and youths here smoke less and consume less alcohol than in other areas.



(JG/CM)