Children’s anxiety and depression 25% worse than GB - call for improved support services during Children’s Mental Health Week

Young people have urged Stormont to improve support services after it was revealed one in eight of them experience anxiety and depression - 25% higher than other UK regions.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 2nd Feb 2021, 18:45 BST
Updated 2nd Feb 2021, 18:51 BST
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The Health and Social Care Board figures were revealed to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Week.

One young person told researchers: “It takes seconds to take your own life so if I need and have asked for help, I need it now.” A second added: “I get £40 a week. I could never afford counselling.” A third young person said: “I won’t talk to someone I don’t trust.”

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Over 1,700 NI young people shared their vision for improving support services, through the youth-led charter for Mental Health Services in NI.

One in eight children in Northern Ireland suffers anxiety or depression.One in eight children in Northern Ireland suffers anxiety or depression.
One in eight children in Northern Ireland suffers anxiety or depression.

The charter sets out five key demands to improve services; They should be affordable, waiting times must be short, they should not discriminate or judge, they must operate in welcoming spaces and education must give young people self-help skills.

Zahra Baz, 20, hopes the five issues raised will be dealt with urgently. “Currently, these elements are often not available, and that needs to change,” she said.

Interim Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhan O’Neill said parents and carers should be curious and ask children questions about their activities and interests.

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“Accept and validate your children’s feelings, try to empathise with them by asking for more information on what this experience is like for them, and accept their feelings without judgement,” she said. “It is only when they feel heard and understood, that together you can start to problem solve and make plans for different scenarios.”

Meanwhile, Wednesday February 3 will see children, teachers and parents from across the UK take part in the first ever online Mental Health Festival, ‘Now and Beyond’.

The event includes live sessions, dedicated lesson plans and webinars. Erin Turner, a consultant Psychiatrist from Belfast, who is taking part, said: “ If we are to protect our children and promote mental wellbeing we have to start from an early age.” See: www.nowandbeyond.org.uk

Young people needing help can call:

• ChildLine on 0800 1111

• Samaritans on 116 123

• Lifeline on 0808 808 8000

Parents and carers needing help can call:

• Young Minds 0800 018 2138

• Family Lives Parentline on 0808 800 2222.

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