Cuts to mental health services could have “devastating consequences”

One of Northern Ireland’s leading counselling organisations has warned against cuts to the mental health budget. With finance minister Sammy Wilson having warned of £2 billion of cuts on their way, and the Stormont Executive clearly split over how to address the pain to come, Karen Collins-Neill, chief executive of Northern Ireland based New Life Counselling has warned of the consequences of cutting the mental health budget.

Looking-out-across-the-sea With only a quarter of those with mental health problems currently able to receive the treatment they need, she says:

“Any cuts in mental health services could well lead to devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities. New Life Counselling believes that everyone has the right to access help and support when they need it.

“We understand that there are serious concerns regarding the state of public finances in Northern Ireland and that the minister for health (Michael McGimpsey) is battling to save what funding he has.

“However, we believe that the department of health has the power to make a major impact, not only on the lives of the one in four people in Northern Ireland suffering from a mental health condition, but also on our society, socially and economically.”

In the most recent health and wellbeing survey of residents in Northern Ireland, conducted in 2005, it was found that 19 per cent of those surveyed over the age of 16 were showing signs of mental health problems of one for or another. Furthermore, New Life Counselling’s recently published manifesto makes clear the economic case for proper investment in mental health services.

It states:

“A study by the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health and the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health shows that the total costs of mental illness in Northern Ireland amounted to £2.8 billion (£1,680 per head population) in 2002/03.

“In comparison it is estimated that a comprehensive programme of psychological therapies would cost just £250 per head population producing a saving of 84%.”

The concerns over future investment in Northern Ireland’s services stand in stark contrast to the position adopted in the south. Despite the economic difficulties being faced by the Republic, Ireland’s mental health minister John Moloney concludes:

“… at the end of the day dealing with the increased suicide figures this year and dealing with the demands set out in Vision for Change , I have to argue for an increased budget for mental health.”

With the coalition finalising its much anticipated spending review, and Stormont braced for its consequences, the warnings over Northern Ireland’s mental health services and the lesson from Ireland should be clear – tackling the deficit does not mean having to adversely impact the most vulnerable.

http://twitter.com/eleanorbowes/status/26064947452 Eleanor Bowes

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http://twitter.com/rosshaffenden/status/26065014674 Ross Haffenden

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http://twitter.com/boredlondongurl/status/26065402211 Melissa Nicole Harry

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http://twitter.com/shamikdas/status/26065405300 Shamik Das

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http://twitter.com/secambslabour/status/26065533910 SE Cambs Labour

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http://twitter.com/markdavies67/status/26065555035 Mark Davies

RT @shamikdas: Cuts to mental health services could have “devastating consequences”: http://bit.ly/9xG8tg reports @leftfootfwd's Ed Jacobs
http://twitter.com/4alldigitalpr/status/26065726045 Yssel & Son’s

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http://twitter.com/nancyphilips/status/26065726974 Dr. Nancy Philips

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http://twitter.com/ms215/status/26065778402 Michelle

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http://twitter.com/mr_pukeko/status/26066156380 Matt Jeffs

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http://twitter.com/c_a_jonestechno/status/26066508255 CAROLE JONES

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http://twitter.com/andy_s_64/status/26067475154 Andy Sutherland

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http://twitter.com/healthtipsblog/status/26068600726 Health Care

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http://twitter.com/healthwarnings/status/26069487107 Health Warnings

Cuts to mental health services could have “devastating …: With the coalition finalising its much anticipated spe… http://bit.ly/9H9zKw
Red Ed

The whole nation has been suffering delusions for many years now. We can only fall back on the great resource of the British people themselves, our currency will soon be worth less than the equivalent pile of toilet paper.

Plant some potatoes brothers and sisters.
http://twitter.com/health_club/status/26070065404 Health Club

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http://twitter.com/4alldigitalpr/status/26071854301 Yssel & Son’s

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http://twitter.com/breakthroughhs/status/26074708068 James T Pereira

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http://twitter.com/comeflywithme76/status/26074709123 Christine Brandt

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http://twitter.com/janialia/status/26074712454 janice A

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http://twitter.com/casebrook/status/26074739996 Brooke Casey

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http://twitter.com/casebrook/status/26074740399 Brooke Casey

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http://twitter.com/harrylenso/status/26074751738 Harry Lenso

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http://twitter.com/hshah11686/status/26074756031 Harshad

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http://twitter.com/trancybutler/status/26074877225 Trancy Butler

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http://twitter.com/trancybutler/status/26076118329 Trancy Butler

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http://twitter.com/dogandbone1/status/26076703685 digby

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http://twitter.com/lavmicmil/status/26076836169 Willis L.Miller

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http://twitter.com/joshworld12/status/26076839685 Josh Schlinsky

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http://twitter.com/janethasty/status/26076841315 Janet Hasty

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Mike

URGENT – NHS WHITE PAPER

nhswhitepaper@dh.gsi.gov.uk

e mail your response or organisation to the NHS White Paper by 5th October

say no to cuts and privatisation

include a section on mental health cuts

URGENT
http://twitter.com/pas5974/status/26103721103 donald pasley.

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http://twitter.com/paulstpancras/status/26116438534 paulstpancras

RT @shamikdas: Cuts to mental health services could have “devastating consequences”: http://bit.ly/9xG8tg reports @leftfootfwd's Ed Jacobs
http://twitter.com/liza_harding/status/26116564435 Liza Harding

RT @shamikdas: Cuts to mental health services could have “devastating consequences”: http://bit.ly/9xG8tg reports @leftfootfwd's Ed Jacobs
http://twitter.com/mindinflux/status/26116637516 MindinFlux

RT @shamikdas: Cuts to mental health services could have “devastating consequences”: http://bit.ly/9xG8tg reports @leftfootfwd's Ed Jacobs
http://twitter.com/amethystthree/status/26117298745 Amethyst

RT @shamikdas: Cuts to mental health services could have “devastating consequences”: http://bit.ly/9xG8tg reports @leftfootfwd's Ed Jacobs
http://twitter.com/pellegrino5/status/26136308842 Sue Pellegrino

RT @shamikdas: Cuts to mental health services could have “devastating consequences”: http://bit.ly/9xG8tg reports @leftfootfwd's Ed Jacobs
http://twitter.com/dylszero/status/26259641629 Dylan Barlow

RT @leftfootfwd: Cuts to mental health services could have “devastating consequences”: http://bit.ly/9xG8tg
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