More than 5,700 people across Northern Ireland are currently on waiting lists for their first mental health assessment, according to the latest official figures.
The Department of Health data, reflecting the period up to December 2024, shows that at least 500 children and over 5,200 adults are still waiting to access crucial support.
However, the real scale of the crisis may be even greater. These numbers do not include data from two major Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts—Belfast and Northern—where digital record systems are being upgraded.
As a result, the total number of individuals waiting for mental health care could be significantly higher than reported.
The growing backlog highlights persistent pressures within Northern Ireland’s underfunded mental health system.
Mental health care in the region has long struggled with high demand, workforce shortages, and limited access to specialist support.
Despite previous government pledges to improve access to care, many patients still face prolonged delays, with some waiting months for an initial assessment.
Children and young people are particularly affected, with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) under severe strain. The Western HSC Trust alone reported over 500 children awaiting CAMHS assessments, while the Southern Trust noted 237 children on its list.
Delays in care for young people can have long-term impacts on their education, development, and overall wellbeing.
Northern Ireland’s 10-year Mental Health Strategy, launched in 2021, aims to reform mental health services through better integration, increased staffing, and improved early intervention.
However, progress has been slow, hampered by budget constraints and political instability at Stormont.
The Department of Health has stated that the next quarterly update, covering the first three months of 2025, will be published later in May.
Campaigners and professionals alike are calling for urgent action to address the bottlenecks, invest in staff recruitment, and ensure that mental health is treated with the same urgency as physical health.
As waiting lists grow and patient needs remain unmet, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive mental health reform in Northern Ireland.
