Prof Siobhan O’Neill

Sorry it’s 157 in ni

Per capita spend is shocking £232 in England £187 in NI.

Minister Muir giving the keynote address at today’s conference

Delighted to participate in today’s Farm Safety & Wellbeing conference.

Here’s Minister @AndrewMuirNI giving the keynote speech on the importance of farm safety & mental health awareness 🐷🐐🚜👩🏼‍🌾🌾🧠

*have

Screenshot from fact check ni report.

Our report for @FactCheckNI

It is difficult to compare regions, but recent figures show that the %s are probably similar.

However there is evidence showing that in NI those with mental ill health have more severe conditions than in the other regions.

factcheckni.org/wp-content/u...

Does NI gave the highest prevalence of mental ill health?

My team are pleased to have contributed to @FactCheckNI’s analysis of this complex issue.

Mental Health in NI: Does Northern Ireland have the highest rate of people claiming disability benefits and the highest prevalence of mental ill health in the UK? - FactCheckNI In a statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly on the 18th of March 2025, Alliance Party MLA Sian Mulholland said: “Northern Ireland has the highest rate of people claiming disability benefits and th...

Read our full analysis here: factcheckni.org/articles/men...

However, based on the research provided to us by the Mental Health Champion’s Office – and a similar statement of fact made by DoH – it is crucial to note that there is evidence to support that the levels of mental ill health in NI are worse than in other parts of the UK.

We’ve just published our first paper with @psyarxivbot.bsky.social

Our qualitative (IPA) paper explores the complex intersection of sexual orientation, gender identity, and suicidality among transgender and gender-diverse young people in Northern Ireland.

Read it here: doi.org/10.31234/osf...

Trauma and mental health in NI: what are the Executive doing to address the burden? In response to increased awareness of the extent of poor mental health in NI, and commitments to improve services in the New Decade New Approach and the Stormont House Agreements, Minister Swann launc...

My blog⬇️
The trauma of the past continues to be felt.
6.1% of people in NI have PTSD/CPTSD, vs 5.1% in 2005.
17.6% have 4+ Adverse Childhood Experiences, 7.2% in 2005.
Around 30% report that the conflict impacts their mental health.
What is Govt doing?
www.pivotalppf.org/our-work/piv...

I think we spend more on Social Security & policing, the obvious ones, plus, a recent report found that the divided education system was more costly too.

The per capita budget on health overall is higher here. So as that cost got higher, the % spend on mental health got lower because the amount spent on mental health didn’t increase at the same rate. The justification is that the money is needed for the other parts of the health service.

Table from NI audit office report on mental health spending in NI

The impact of Social Security cuts will be worse in NI.

We have a significant history of trauma & high rts of PTSD (6.1% now, compared with 5.1% in 2005) (4.4% in England)

We spend a lower % of health budget on Mental Health than other UK regions - 5.7% in NI vs 14.1% in Eng

7/ Many people with mental illness already feel ashamed, that they are a burden; it is those feelings that can lead to suicidality.

Our Executive must act to reassure the population, protect those who are mentally ill & fund the transformation plan to improve services.

6/ I'm also worried about the harm that the public debate could have.

The effect of public discussions about whether those with a mental illness deserve dignity, support & enough money to live on.

The idea that our value lies in our economic contribution.

5/ 📢So we need our Executive to step up & provide a package of mitigations to protect the vulnerable in NI.

& we need full funding for the Mental Health Strategy to prevent & treat mental illness.

This would ultimately boost productivity.

4/ and it would not encourage more people into work,

because mental illnesses are real illnesses, and many of those affected are unable to work.

What people with mental illness need is health services, treatment, support & compassion.

3/ The removal of welfare protections would harm the mental health of the vulnerable...

...people who have experienced trauma - including the trauma of the Troubles.

29% of our population report that the conflict has impacted their mental health🔽
www.mentalhealthchampion-ni.org.uk/publications...

2/ Data shows that economic crises & austerity measures lead to increased suicide rates.

The suicide rate in the most deprived areas is already twice that of the least deprived areas. These cuts would further widen the inequalities.

🧵 1/ I’m concerned that, if implemented in NI, the welfare cuts announced today would be utterly devastating for those with mental illness, & plunge many into suicidal distress.

Whilst suicide is complex, there is strong evidence of the link between financial pressure & suicide

Peak District Mighty Hike Help Siobhan O'Neill raise money to support Macmillan Cancer Support

As I try to come to terms with the immense loss of my beloved sister, Linda, I am doing the 26 mile mighty hike for Macmillan.

Macmillan were a vital source of support for Linda, her family, & me, through the most horrendous time.

Please consider donating ❤️‍🩹
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/...

6/ Yet again, these issues would be addressed with full implementation of the Mental Health Strategy.

The whole Executive must find the money to deliver this Strategy *in full*.

Because right now we don’t even have full staffing for existing services.

5/ Assessments for autism and other neurodivergent conditions (e.g. ADHD) need to be readily available.

But not having a diagnosis should never be a barrier to receiving a mental health service (which it could be, if there was a specialist service only for people with autism)

4/ e.g. a person with an Eating Disorder should be able to access a Specialist ED service.

We now realise that a high % of people with an Eating Disorder are autistic. Many won’t have an autism diagnosis.

ED services should be able to provide treatments for all those with an ED

3/ This means that all parts of mental health services must be accessible.

Enhanced services do need to be available, from clinicians with skills & training in neurodivergent conditions.

These would be located *within* existing services.

Action 7 Mental Health Strategy NI: Provide enhanced & accessible mental health services for those who need specialist mentally health services, including children and young people with disabilities. The services must be able to cater for those with disabilities, including physical and sensory disabilities, ASD and intellectual disabilities. This must include help and support for parents and families.

2/ Autistic people should be able to access mental health services, & should never be denied a service because they have autism (nor should they wait longer than anyone else).

This is reflected in MH Strategy action 7.

Read it in full⬇️

🧵on the calls for a specialist mental health service for those with autism.

Autism is not considered to be a mental illness, it’s a neurodivergent condition/ neurotype.

However, autistic people have a higher risk of mental illness. 1/

Eating disorders: Christmas can be 'the perfect storm' There has been an increase in people seeking help for eating disorders in Northern Ireland, according to Freed Beyond.

Thinking about all those people who are struggling with an #EatingDisorder at this time of year.

Remember, recovery is possible.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

5/ This page has MH Strategy, Funding Plan & annual delivery plans for 1st 3 years.

www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications...

screenshot from draft budget - Executive Earmarked Allocations

screenshot from draft budget - Treasury Earmarked Allocations

4/ The draft budget consultation, which YOU can respond to🔽

& a couple of screenshots frm the budget, so you can see what is *actually* ringfenced

(& to be fair some of the areas are relevant to mental health & services)

finance-ni.gov.uk/news/executi...