Underfunded youth mental health services; austerity hitting child poverty levels; NI Executive delays
In 2012, the five-year average rates of suicide in Northern Ireland were 4 times higher than England and Wales for 15−19 year olds and 17 times more for 10−14 year olds. [source] However, in 2013−14, only 7.8% of the total planned mental health expenditure was allocated to child and adolescent mental health services in Northern Ireland. Recent austerity measures are likely to affect the already inadequate financing and investment in all tiers of Northern Ireland CAMHS. The report of the …