‘We must act to address mental health crisis among our children’ – Bradley
SDLP Health Spokesperson, Sinead Bradley MLA has responded to a report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, that shows Northern Ireland has the highest rates of suicide among young people in the UK.
The South Down MLA said, “It is incredibly worrying that that suicide rate among young people in the North has increased in the last number of years.
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“It is also the highest rate in the UK.
“There are some positive elements in this report, including the decrease in child poverty and the lower levels of alcohol and smoking, but for the most part it is a worrying read,” she continued.
“Dr Nethercott, on behalf of the RCPCH, has made it clear that it was a struggle to ensure child health was on the agenda when there was no Executive for three long years.
“It is welcome that we are back to work and can take decisions and direct investment in a way that will improve these appalling statistics.
“I will be seeking to engage with Health Minister Swann and colleagues on the Health Committee to discuss the rife inequalities across our society and the impact this has on the health and wellbeing of our young people.
She added, “We must do better.”
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