Sorry it’s 157 in ni

Per capita spend is shocking £232 in England £187 in NI.

*have

Read our full analysis here: factcheckni.org/articles/men...

However, based on the research provided to us by the Mental Health Champion’s Office – and a similar statement of fact made by DoH – it is crucial to note that there is evidence to support that the levels of mental ill health in NI are worse than in other parts of the UK.

I think we spend more on Social Security & policing, the obvious ones, plus, a recent report found that the divided education system was more costly too.

The per capita budget on health overall is higher here. So as that cost got higher, the % spend on mental health got lower because the amount spent on mental health didn’t increase at the same rate. The justification is that the money is needed for the other parts of the health service.

7/ Many people with mental illness already feel ashamed, that they are a burden; it is those feelings that can lead to suicidality.

Our Executive must act to reassure the population, protect those who are mentally ill & fund the transformation plan to improve services.

6/ I'm also worried about the harm that the public debate could have.

The effect of public discussions about whether those with a mental illness deserve dignity, support & enough money to live on.

The idea that our value lies in our economic contribution.

5/ 📢So we need our Executive to step up & provide a package of mitigations to protect the vulnerable in NI.

& we need full funding for the Mental Health Strategy to prevent & treat mental illness.

This would ultimately boost productivity.

4/ and it would not encourage more people into work,

because mental illnesses are real illnesses, and many of those affected are unable to work.

What people with mental illness need is health services, treatment, support & compassion.

3/ The removal of welfare protections would harm the mental health of the vulnerable...

...people who have experienced trauma - including the trauma of the Troubles.

29% of our population report that the conflict has impacted their mental health🔽
www.mentalhealthchampion-ni.org.uk/publications...

2/ Data shows that economic crises & austerity measures lead to increased suicide rates.

The suicide rate in the most deprived areas is already twice that of the least deprived areas. These cuts would further widen the inequalities.

6/ Yet again, these issues would be addressed with full implementation of the Mental Health Strategy.

The whole Executive must find the money to deliver this Strategy *in full*.

Because right now we don’t even have full staffing for existing services.

5/ Assessments for autism and other neurodivergent conditions (e.g. ADHD) need to be readily available.

But not having a diagnosis should never be a barrier to receiving a mental health service (which it could be, if there was a specialist service only for people with autism)

4/ e.g. a person with an Eating Disorder should be able to access a Specialist ED service.

We now realise that a high % of people with an Eating Disorder are autistic. Many won’t have an autism diagnosis.

ED services should be able to provide treatments for all those with an ED

3/ This means that all parts of mental health services must be accessible.

Enhanced services do need to be available, from clinicians with skills & training in neurodivergent conditions.

These would be located *within* existing services.