Despite being described as a priority policy issue, mental health services in Northern Ireland are being left to fail. Patients and service users struggle to access both routine and urgent care. Their inability to access the help that is required is having a severe knock-on effect on other parts of the health service.

Frequently, people in crisis are forced to go to emergency departments in search of assistance. These busy, noisy, challenging environments are completely inappropriate for those presenting with mental health issues.

In a recent report the Audit Office warned that Northern Ireland’s mental health crisis is costing the region more than £3 billion a year. Spiralling waiting lists, underfunding, a depleted workforce, fragmented services, lack of access to services are just some of the issues.

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The inability of the system to cope with demand in an appropriate way means tragic stories of anguish to individuals, families and communities are all too commonplace.

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