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Over 1700 young people contributed to the #OurMindsOurFuture project in order to share their priorities and expectations for change within mental health services in Northern Ireland.
Research commissioned by the Health and Social Care Board in 2020 found that 1 in 8 young people suffer from anxiety or depression, with these rates being 25% higher when compared to the rest of the U.K.
With an alarming need for change, the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) led the project; working in partnership with Youth Access, Scottish Youth Parliament SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health), ProMo Cymru and Hafal. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the aim of this mental health charter is to put young people at the forefront of the design and delivery of mental health services throughout the U.K.
Aiding in development was a Project Stakeholder Group of organisations already working to improve services as well as a Young Person’s Advisory Group with lived experiences of accessing services directly. Additionally, a survey and focus groups were conducted in this first stage of a five-year project.
Five main principles were determined as follows: (1) Affordability, (2) Waiting Times, (3) No Discrimination, No Judgment, (4) Safe and Welcoming Spaces, and (5) Education to Improve Our Own Mental Health.
Gill Hassard, Senior Participation Officer of NCB, stated: “NCB ensures that children and young people’s views and experiences guide every aspect of our work… We do this to fulfil our obligations for the promotion of the rights of all children and young people, recognising that young people are experts in their own lives and that their direct input into issues affecting them is critical in developing services which are fit for purpose.”
In a Facebook live event, hosted by SSUNI, Siobhan O’Neill, current Interim Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland, addressed plans for supporting the policies detailed in the Charter. “There are a few mechanisms that mean I can influence what the executive does. I’m a part of the executive group containing ministers from across the political parties, including our First Minister and Deputy First Minister. I go to committees, like the Health Committee and Education Committee, and I give advice on what needs to be done: putting forward papers and providing lists of recommendations”.
“I’m also involved in the Department of Health’s COVID-Response Group and we are in talks discussing what is going to happen in terms of mental health and what resources are going to be invested there”.
“There were policy decisions that affected the mental health of young people and they weren’t listened to. We need to do better there; that’s the big message. For me, it’s about working with the strategies that we have and prioritising those actions that impact most on young people”.
More information regarding the #OurMindsOurFuture Charter can be found here.
If you are experiencing poor mental health, speak with your GP as soon as possible. Or contact Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.