Health Minister warns of 'surge' in mental health issues post pandemic
Trusts under pressure as 'people in crisis sleeping in hospital chairs'
Northern Ireland is bracing itself for an influx of mental health issues following the Covid-19 crisis.
That is the stark warning from the Health Minister this mental health awareness week.
Robin Swann was addressing MLAs on Thursday.
He told the Health Committee: "Given that this week is Mental Health Awareness Week, it is entirely appropriate that we give this topic the platform and focus it deserves.
"It is hugely important that we use this opportunity to strive to reduce stigma associated with mental ill health, to improve support for those who need it and to secure the resources to ensure we have a system that adequately cares for our community.''
He continued: "Mental health services were under considerable pressure before the pandemic and they are now experiencing unprecedented challenges.
"It is highly likely that these pressures will continue as the mental health surge we have all been anticipating begins to bite over the coming months.
"Indeed, evidence from other countries indicates that we are only at the beginning of this surge.''
Mr Swann highlighted the financial pressures the system is facing saying there is a shortfall of £100m to £150m in mental health provision in Northern Ireland.
He said that urgent funding was needed to address the situation and to put mental health on an even footing with physical health.
Mr Swann said his department had established a mental health strategy to address pressure on mental health inpatient beds to deal with increased needs created by the pandemic.
He added: "I also hope it will bring us in line with mental health provision in other parts of the UK and, indeed, once fully implemented, ensure Northern Ireland has a world class mental health system to be proud of.
"I hope to be in a position to publish the final strategy in the summer, alongside a funding plan setting out the resource requirements to implement it.''
Mr Swann said a key element of the strategy would be a funding plan.
"Mental health in NI receives between 25 and 30% less funding per capita than in England, despite many indications that mental health needs in this country are greater, not least because of the legacy of the Troubles.
"That equates to a funding gap of approximately £100m to £150m per year, which is a dire reflection of the low priority we as a society and government have afforded to mental health up to now.''
When briefing members about the current situation services are in, he painted a bleak picture.
Mr Swann said: "Inpatient services are under increased pressure...our trusts are reporting increasing referrals as well as heightened acuity of patients.
"Trusts operate consistently above 100% bed occupancy levels in mental health inpatient units and those patients are often much more seriously ill than would usually be expected.
"It's really important that people understand what operating above 100% capacity means in that context."
He added: "It places additional pressures on staff, compromising their ability to provide the care and treatment patients need.
"What this means is that people whose mental health needs are such that they need to be admitted to hospital, people who are in crisis who are seriously ill, are being asked to sleep in armchairs and on sofas in hospital."