Desperate
THE Western Trust has not met the waiting time targets for people in Derry with mental health problems.
The Trust is not alone – the four other trusts responsible for covering the rest of the North of Ireland have also missed the target for treating people with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
According to the Health and Social Care Board, there is a “high risk” of continuing breaches of the 13-week target without additional investment.
The board also estimates an additional 160 full-time staff are required across the North to meet the growing demand for treatment.
Currently around 498 staff are employed in this area – less 100 people per each Trust area.
Recently SDLP Foyle MLA and Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan highlighted on Derry Daily the lack of funding for mental Health in the North.
He said only 5.5 per cent of the Department of Health’s £4.48 billion budget went on mental health – a paltry £246.4 million.
That works out at around £49.2 million each to the Western Trust for a whole year.
The former Executive Minister said this was “alarming” despite the fact that mental health issues account for around 25 per cent of all healthcare cases.
In a statement to Health and Social Care Board said it “acknowledged and apologised” for the “unacceptable waiting times for psychological therapies”.
It said the rise in waiting times was due to “increased awareness of the important role that psychological therapies play in enabling mental health recovery” and also reflected “a “legacy of unmet need”.
The board also said while it had tried up keep up with demand, current capacity was “unable to keep pace with need” and within this context it estimated “an additional £17m would be needed” across primary care, Children’s Adult Health Care and Mental Health Services.
Figures from the Health and Social Care Board show there has been a steady rise in the numbers waiting for what are known as psychological therapies over the past five years.
That means people who need professional help from psychologists and psychiatrists for conditions which can include depression, post-traumatic stress and eating disorders.
The strategy on providing psychological therapies was set out by the Department of Health in 2010 because arrangements at the time were described as “extremely poor”.
However, from the time it was established it was only partially funded.
The North’s high level levels of mental ill health are well known and are estimated to be 25% higher than those in the rest of the UK.
Research indicates that one in four adults will have mental health problems at some point and it is the single biggest cause of disability.
Mark H Durkan said there was a “shocking under investment” in mental health in the North.
“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 under investment is contributing to the massive waiting lists for counselling services and in many other areas such as services and support for young people.
“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,” added the Foyle MLA.
