Mental Health

Welcome back to the seventh episode of the Better Peace Podcast, presented by Chloe and Ellie. Today’s topic has been consistently highlighted as an important one among young people: we’re talking about mental health. In the era of social media, discussions surrounding mental health are increasingly common. To learn more about mental health and the pressures young people face, Chloe and Nicole spoke to Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland, Siobhan O’Neill.

Siobhan explains her role as Mental Health Champion and how she advises government policymakers on their mental health strategy for Northern Ireland. She explains how she came to work in the field of mental health and wellbeing and how her passions stemmed from primary care work with vulnerable individuals. 

Siobhan then goes on to explain what she believes to be the biggest barriers to accessing mental healthcare in Northern Ireland. She explains how stigma surrounding mental illness remains one of the primary barriers to people accessing mental health services; those suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts are often unwilling to express their problems, especially in formal healthcare settings such as with their GP, due to the stigma surrounding mental illness. 

Siobhan explains that not only are there barriers to access services, but the services are also not set up in a ‘youth-friendly’ manner, discouraging young people from seeking help. She promotes the need to co-produce services with young people so that they are accessible and appropriate. 

Nicole goes on to ask what role social media may have played in the rising levels of mental illness in Northern Ireland; Siobhan explains how much of what we consume online can be very damaging and can drive negative self-image, but this is only one factor which is driving mental ill-health. 

She speaks about the huge pressures put on young people in school and how these pressures translate into mental illness, especially among young girls. 

So how can the government, or perhaps more importantly the education system, begin to address issues of mental illness? Siobhan reflects on the importance of relationships and attachment theory, and advocates that all young people are taught how to build and maintain healthy relationships. She speaks about the importance of a trauma-informed approach in schools and how this will address inequalities within the school system.

“The schooling system mirrors society, where there are winners, losers, inequalities, and therefore you have to get the best job and make the most money…and then you realise… it was never about that, it’s about having something that’s meaningful.”

Siobhan reflects on high suicide rates in Northern Ireland and how these may relate to issues such as intergenerational trauma stemming from The Troubles. 

“Suicide needs to be understood as a behavioural response to a crisis, where the person either feels like there is no other option…or they act impulsively in the heat of the moment.”

“Only around half of people who die by suicide have a [disclosed] mental illness.” 

Siobhan promotes four pillars to improve mental wellbeing: physical activity, diet, sleep and connection with people.

We closed this episode with a group chat on how mental health has affected us on a personal level, and how issues such as family dynamic and social media can have a huge impact on mental wellbeing. 

A huge thank you to Jude Hill (Mitchell) and Alan Meban for the production and editing of the Podcast. Another massive thanks to Aoibha Mallon for the amazing podcast soundtrack and finally to our funders. Project supported by the International Fund for Ireland (Our Peace, Our Future fund) and the National Lottery Community Fund NI (Empowering Young People programme).