Publication of NI Mental Health Strategy: A Review of the Deliverability of the Strategy's Actions 2026-2029
Date published:
The Department of Health has published a review of the deliverability of the Northern Ireland Mental Health Strategy's actions over the next three years.
The Department committed to reviewing the overall deliverability of the Mental Health Strategy (MHS) 2021-2031 as recommended by the Public Accounts Committee in its Report on Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland, published in June 2024.
This report highlighted the substantial funding shortfall against the Strategy's estimated Pound 1.2 billion cost.
Since its inception, delivery of the MHS has been taking place within an extremely challenging financial context using existing, limited, Departmental resources to take forward the 20 actions in the Strategy that are currently underway.
The review of the deliverability of the MHS highlights that, as of end 2024/25, only Pound 12.3 million has been allocated to 14 actions within the Strategy, representing just 16% of the funding deemed necessary for its implementation during that period.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:
"The financial constraints facing my Department are well documented and, since the publication of the Mental Health Strategy in 2021, no additional funding has been allocated to support its delivery. This presents a significant challenge and places considerable pressure on our ability to deliver to best effect and achieve the outcomes we know are needed.
"When the Mental Health Strategy was published, it was with a sense of optimism and purpose. I am personally disappointed that, halfway into the lifetime of the Strategy, it has been necessary for my Department to undertake a review of the deliverability of the Strategy's Actions from 2026-2029. The purpose of doing so is to provide a focus and to prioritise in light of the funding constraints we face, whilst recognising that the Strategy in its entirety is still needed."
The review, which involved extensive consultation with more than 100 individuals and numerous focus groups, sets out what has been achieved with the limited funding available to date, as well as the key areas of focus for the next three years.
The focus for 2026/27 will be on the Mental Health Workforce and the Regional Mental Health Crisis Service, with both seen as crucial enablers for broader system improvement.
Strengthening the mental health workforce will include a particular emphasis on unlocking the significant yet underutilised potential within the Community and Voluntary (C&V) sector. A focus on developing regionally consistent, person-centred crisis services will help to ensure that individuals in crisis receive appropriate support in the right place, at the right time.
The review outlines four medium-priority MHS actions proposed for phased implementation in 2027/28 and 2028/29, relating to mental health and older people, Digital Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, and supporting individuals with severe and enduring mental ill health.
Minister Nesbitt added:
"This review does not represent a dilution of our commitment to delivering for mental health, but rather a sharpening of our focus to maximise impact within the resources available. Our ambition remains strong, but it must be focused.
"Mental health remains a personal priority for me. I have been clear that delivering the Strategy requires sustained and additional investment. I will continue to make that case until the ambition so clearly set out in 2021 is fully realised."
