Mental Health and Poverty in Northern Ireland: Urgent Call for Anti-Poverty Strategy

Introduction

Mental health and poverty are deeply interconnected issues that affect many individuals and families across Northern Ireland. Recently, a human rights organisation has taken legal action against the Northern Ireland government for failing to meet a nearly 20-year-old statutory obligation to develop an anti-poverty strategy. This delay has had significant consequences for the mental health and wellbeing of our local communities across Northern Ireland.

The Current Situation

In 2006, the St Andrew's Agreement amended the law underpinning the 1998 Good Friday Peace deal, requiring local politicians to adopt a poverty strategy based on objective need (Gov UK, 2006). However, nearly two decades later, 18% of Northern Ireland's population still lives in relative poverty (DfC, 2024), with areas like West Belfast and North Belfast experiencing the highest rates of child poverty in Northern Ireland (Belfast Media, 2024). These statistics reflect the ongoing political divisions and the lack of progress in addressing poverty.

The Impact of Poverty on Mental Health

Poverty has a profound impact on mental health, particularly among children and young people. Living in poverty can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Children in impoverished areas are more likely to face adverse childhood experiences, which can have long-term effects on their mental well-being. The lack of resources and support exacerbates these issues, making it crucial to address poverty to improve mental health outcomes.

Debt is a significant factor that compounds the mental health challenges faced by those living in poverty. "The Mental Health and Money Advice Service within MindWise works day in and day out to help, support, guide, and advise those who are struggling with their mental health and also have a debt problem. There have been multiple research pieces conducted to prove the link between mental health and debt, and in our work, we see the effects debt has on an individual and how it affects their mental health. They are stressed, unable to sleep, and it affects the whole family. We have experienced the horrors debt imposes on families. The need for food banks and charities has increased substantially. We need the government to take control and alleviate this poverty. I would back the call for an Anti-Poverty Strategy and ask other organisations to support this." - Michele Loughran, Manager, Mental Health & Money Advice

The Legal Action

The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) has initiated legal proceedings against the regional government for its failure to develop an anti-poverty strategy (US News, 2025). This follows a 2015 High Court ruling that deemed the government's inaction unlawful (BBC, 2015). Despite the restoration of the regional assembly in February 2024, no draft strategy has been presented to the Executive or put out for public consultation. The upcoming hearing on January 31, 2025, will be a critical moment in holding the government accountable. This legal action is supported by various human rights and community organisations concerned about the impact of poverty on mental health and well-being in Northern Ireland. 

The Need for Early Intervention

Early intervention in mental health services is essential for mitigating the long-term effects of poverty on mental health. Therapeutic counselling in primary schools' costs approximately £229 per child, while referrals to CAMHS cost around £2,338, and in-patient care can cost up to £61,000 per child (MindWise, 2024). The estimated cost-benefit ratio for early intervention is 32:1, demonstrating significant long-term savings and benefits. An economic evaluation shows that primary school counselling services across the UK generate up to £36 million in long-term benefits each year at a cost of £4.5 million (Place2be, 2022).

"As the Children and Young People Service Manager at MindWise, I fully support the call for action highlighted. The undeniable link between poverty and mental health is evident in the young people we support through our work in schools and communities. By providing essential mental health services and interventions, we help children build essential resilience skills. However, without a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy and greater investment in early intervention, these efforts are not enough. It's crucial that we prioritize these issues to ensure children and young people in Northern Ireland have the resources and opportunities to thrive. I urge everyone to join us in advocating for the changes needed to create a brighter, healthier future for our young people across Northern Ireland. Together, we can make a real difference." - Amy Stothers, Children and Young People's Service Manager, MindWise.

Funding Disparities

In Northern Ireland, the overall mental health budget for the 2024-25 financial year is expected to grow to £42 million (NI Assembly, 2024).  Historically, around 7.5% of this budget is allocated to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), meaning most of the mental health budget is directed towards adult services (Niccy, n.d.). This allocation is significantly lower compared to other regions:

England: Recent initiatives aim to increase CAMHS funding, with commitments to invest an additional £2.3 billion annually

Scotland: The Scottish Government has committed £250 million over five years to improve mental health services for children and young people.

Wales: Efforts are being made to increase investment in CAMHS, despite similar challenges.

Overall, while there are efforts to increase funding for children and young people's mental health services across the UK, Northern Ireland's allocation remains relatively low compared to the needs of our population.

Our Call to Action

We urge the Northern Ireland government to prioritise the development and implementation of an anti-poverty strategy. MindWise launched our ‘Wise Up’ petition calling for increased funding for children and young people's mental health services. By signing this petition, you can help us advocate for the necessary resources to support our youth and address the root causes of mental health issues.

We also encourage you to contact your local political representatives to express your support for increased funding and the urgent need for an anti-poverty strategy. Your voice matters, and together, we can make a difference.

Conclusion

The link between mental health and poverty is clear, and the urgency to address this issue cannot be overstated. For the well-being of Northern Ireland's children and young people, it is imperative that the government takes immediate action. Join us in holding the government accountable and supporting our community by signing our petition and contacting your local representatives. Share this message with your friends and family to amplify our call for change. Together, we can make a difference.