29/06/2022

Mental Health Service Waiting Times 'Deeply Concerning'

Sinn Féin have said that the number of children and young people waiting on referrals for mental health services is "deeply concerning".

The party's spokesperson for Mental Health, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, was speaking after figures showed that 557 young people are waiting for a referral in the Belfast Trust, while two Trusts did not have records.

Órlaithi Flynn said: "It is deeply concerning that vital mental health services for children and young people continue to be under increasing pressure.

"The numbers of children on waiting and referral lists numbers are spiralling out of control.

"Children's mental health services and staff provide invaluable support to children and young people in emotional distress and with a range of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

"However, the demand for support and treatment is rapidly outstripping capacity.

"Sinn Féin Finance Minister Conor Murphy is committed to allocating an additional £1 billion to our Health Service over the next three years, to tackle waiting lists, recruit more doctors and nurses, fund cancer and mental services and transform health.

"That requires an Executive to be formed immediately."

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 March 2019
Student Mental Health Services Allocated £150k
Student mental health services in Belfast are set to benefit from a first of its kind pilot project worth £150,000.
10 October 2022
Swann Announces New Regional Mental Health Service
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced new Regional Mental Health Service in Northern Ireland – one of the key enabling actions contained within the Mental Health Strategy published in June 2021.
09 October 2001
World Mental Health Day helps to dispel myths
The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún, has emphasised the importance of World Mental Health Day which is taking place on 10 October.
20 June 2019
Waiting Lists For Mental Health Services Rise
An Ulster Unionist MLA has warned that growing delays in accessing mental health treatment could be damaging for children and young people in Northern Ireland.
11 October 2011
Poots Targets Mental Health Care
NI Mental health has been getting a focus this week with news that the Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots has launched his Department's Service Framework for Mental Health and Wellbeing Announced on World Mental Health Day on Monday, the framework sets standards for the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, care and rehabilitation of peop