Number of children refused mental health support in Northern Trust rises, while referrals increase in Southern Trust

by Gráinne Connolly

Statistics have revealed a steady increase in the number of children and young people being referred for specialist mental health support in the Southern Trust in the last three years.

During the same period, there's also been a decrease in the those being accepted to this service in the Northern Trust. 

The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People obtained the figures through an ongoing review of mental health services and support.  

According to Koulla Yiasouma, Northern Ireland Children's Commissioner, the number of children being referred by health professionals for an assessment for specialist mental health or 'Tier 3' services in the Southern Trust has increased from 1209 in 2013/14 to 1812 in 2015/16. 

However, the percentage of children being accepted to the service is decreasing. 

Over 37% weren't given the care needed, falling from 72% to 63% during that three year period. 

Meanwhile, in the Northern Trust there's been a fall in the number of children referred by a GP or another child health professional to the Tier 3 service. 

It's jumped from 2029 in 2013/14 down to 1846 in 2015/16, however the amount of those being accepted into the service has also fallen from the highest among the Trusts to one of the lowest. 

77% of referrals to this support service were accepted in 2013/14, and last year (2015/16) only 47% were. 

Koulla says:

"There is no data available to tell us why they have been refused the service, where these vulnerable children go after they are refused, or if they receive another service or none because the system does not record that data". 

These 'Specialist Mental Health Services' or 'Tier 3' services are those to which children are referred by GPs and other Child health professionals when their mental ill health is having a 'severe or enduring impact on their daily psychological, social and/or educational functioning.'

The Children's Commissioner said: 

“The rise in the number of children being referred to the service may mean more children are seeking help for their mental health - and that can only be a good thing.

“The investment and resource within these services must meet the need and this is not currently the case when,  for every pound spent on mental health our Government invest less than 8p on children and young people.”
 

In total across Northern Ireland last year (2015/16) 8,285 children and young people were referred to specialist mental health services for an assessment; 4,781 (58%) were accepted and 3,504 (42%) were not. 

33% were not accepted in 2013/14 and 40% were not accepted in 2014/15.

Koulla concluded in saying how important these services are for young people: 

"We need to understand that specialist mental health services are only one of 5 tiers of support within this complex system.

"There should be a wide range of support and services available to promote mental health and emotional wellbeing, and to identify and respond to need. This cuts across social services, education, child health and specialist mental health services.”

“We must listen to young people’s experiences and views of accessing and trying to access support in relation to their mental health." 

Young people between the ages of 11-21, along with parents and carers to share their experiences "who have had, or have tried to obtain help for their mental health" are encouraged to share their views to help shape future services. 

Below is the link to an online survey where they can do so: 

www.niccy.org/speakyourmind