Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has expressed his concern after the Health Minister revealed that although mental health issues account for around 25% of healthcare cases, mental health services receive only 5.5% of the healthcare budget.
Mr Durkan, the SDLP spokesperson on health, said Mr Durkan said it was “imperative” Michelle O’Neill took action to ensure mental health was adequately funded and managed so that people could get the help that they “so desperately need.”
Mr Durkan added: “Historically, mental health services have been criminally underfunded here. Mental illness is a massive problem in the North and there is a growing realisation of the seriousness of this issue, how debilitating it can be for individuals and its impact on families and wider society.
“More and more we are putting out the message that people should seek help with mental health problems but mental health services, statutory and in the community and voluntary sector, are not being resourced to tackle the massive need.
“This was reflected in the answer provided to me by the Health Minister. This shocking underinvestment is contributing to the massive waiting lists for counselling services and in many other areas such as services and support for young people.”
Mr Durkan concluded: “It is imperative that the Minister takes action and ensures that mental health is adequately funded and managed so that people can get the help that they so desperately need.”
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