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Over 1,700 young people in Northern Ireland, many with direct experience of the challenges in accessing mental health support, have shared their vision for how decision makers could improve services and put an end to waiting times, stigma and the crippling costs of getting help.
Over 1,700 young people in Northern Ireland, many with direct experience of the challenges in accessing mental health support, have shared their vision for how decision makers could improve services and put an end to waiting times, stigma and the crippling costs of getting help.
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The youth-led charter responds to research showing one in eight young people in NI experience anxiety and depression, 25% higher than in other UK nations (1).
The call comes as Stormont is in consultation on how best to turn around the mental health crisis facing Northern Ireland’s young people, who experience common mood disorders such as anxiety and depression at significantly higher levels than those in the other UK nations (1).
The youth-led charter for mental health services in NI, published by the National Children’s Bureau as part of the UK-wide Our Minds, Our Future programme, has been created based on focus groups and surveys with young people, who provide powerful insights into the barriers they face in accessing help:
“It takes seconds to take your own life so if I need and have asked for help, I need it now.”
“I get £40 a week. I could never afford counselling.”
“I won't talk to someone I don’t trust.”
Published to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Week, the charter sets out five basic principles for effective mental health services:
- Services should be affordable and not include hidden costs
- Waiting times must be short to prevent problems from escalating
- Services should not discriminate or judge young people whatever their backgrounds.
- Support should take place in safe and welcoming spaces that build trust between specialists and young people.
- Education must give young people the skills and strategies they need to help themselves.
Young campaigners in Northern Ireland are joining young people in each of the four nations, as they publish their own set of demands for mental health transformation reflecting differing local realities and lived experiences.
The publication of these demands, which can be read in full on the Our Minds Our Future website, is the first stage of a five-year National Lottery-funded project that aims to empower young people to shape mental health services across the UK as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zahra Baz (20) from Northern Ireland, said:
“I hope that the issues outlined by young people are dealt with urgently. Reducing waiting times, reducing costs, guaranteeing safe, non-judgemental environments, and providing thorough mental health education are what is needed from our mental health services. Currently, these elements are often not available, and that needs to change.”
Morgan Shuttleworth, age 16 from Northern Ireland, said:
“The mental health charters could be extremely beneficial to young people across the UK, outlining necessary changes in mental health services. These measures could restore the confidence of young people in the counselling system and other mental health services."
Celine McStravick, Director of NCB NI, said:
“We know that having high-quality specialist services to turn to can help young people navigate a mental health crisis. But all too often they face barriers to support that mean in reality they have to cope alone. This charter, which chimes with the views of young people across the UK, provides a checklist for services providers and policymakers to make sure the mental health support they offer is sufficient to meet the needs of the young people who rely on them. We urgently need decision makers to adopt these principles to avert the mental health crisis facing Northern Ireland’s Young People.”
Further details can be found at: www.ncb.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are/ncb-northern-ireland/ni-projects-programmes/our-minds-our-future
ENDS
Notes
1. 12.6% of CYP in Northern Ireland experience common mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, 25% higher than in other UK nations, according to the NI Youth Wellbeing Survey. http://www.hscboard.hscni.net/our-work/social-care-and-children/youth-wellbeing-prevalence-survey-2020/
Practice self-care
If you feel that you need professional support with your own mental health, please use any of the numbers below to start or continue your journey to recovery and good health:
- ChildLine on 0800 1111 - offers help to young people in trouble or danger
- Samaritans on 116 123
- Lifeline on 0808 808 8000
- Young Minds on 0800 018 2138 (a parents' information service providing confidential advice for any adult concerned about the mental health or emotional well-being of a child or young person)
- Family Lives Parentline on 0808 800 2222 (provides help and information for anyone caring for children)