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Mental health funding slashed report warns

SPENDING on mental health services in Northern Ireland has been slashed over the past five years and is set to get worse, a new report has warned.

The charity Action Mental Health commissioned Queen's University Belfast to carry out a study, comparing mental health funding with that spent on primary care.

Reseachers discovered that between 2008 and 2014, actual spend on mental health services by health trusts had decreased year on year - at 25 per cent less than previously proposed.

"Under financing of mental health services in NI is a systemic and long-term issue that is set to exacerbate in coming years, particularly in rural areas," lead author Dr George Wilson said.

"Whilst improvements have been made in service provision since Bamford and Transforming Your Care, funding cutbacks have curtailed progress and will continue to do so in the coming years."

Detailed recommendations are made including the creation of a Department of Health working group to review the needs of patients and carers as well as a drive to reduce the stigma associated with mental health related illnesses.

"There should also be a renewed emphasis on promoting positive mental health as a key component of the public health agenda. Commissioners of services should invest additional resources in developing mental health education in schools and encouraging positive attitudes towards mental health in children and young people," the report adds.