Mental Health

New toolkit launched for parents of children with disabilities

2 Jun 2023Ryan Miller undefinedHealth, Mental Health, SEN, Disability, Children and Young People, Parenting

A new toolkit for people whose children have disabilities – and written by parents, for parents – could be transformative for mums and dads who feel overwhelmed.

Will we fail once more on mental health?

24 May 2023Ryan Miller undefinedMental Health, Budget, Social Policy, Funding

A new report from the Audit Office says Northern Ireland’s ten-year mental health strategy risks failure due to a lack of financial support.

Is a public services meltdown on the cards?

27 Apr 2023Ryan Miller undefinedEducation, Stormont, Budget, Health, Mental Health, Politics

The Secretary of State’s budget is here. A bonfire of services seems likely. With a focus on education, Scope looks at cuts that are already in motion – and outlines the consequences.

Pay now, or pay (more) later? How the cost-of-living crisis is squeezing the third sector.

14 Apr 2023Ryan Miller undefinedSector Issues, Children and Young People, Mental Health, Health, Funding, Childcare

Spiking inflation and weak public finances have put community organisations on the back foot. However, it would be short-sighted to let services wither. Where possible, we must spend to save.

Death is not the end

15 Mar 2023Ryan Miller undefinedDeath, Grief, Mental Health

We all die eventually but, before we do, most of us encounter death many times. Not all of us handle it well. Additional support could help.

Poverty has many faces

6 Mar 2023Ryan Miller undefinedPoverty, Social Policy, Sector Issues, Social Security, Mental Health

New research reaffirms an old oddity – Northern Ireland has the lowest rate of poverty of any UK region. However, that’s not the whole story.

You won’t address economic inactivity if you misdiagnose the problem

23 Feb 2023Ryan Miller undefinedHealth, Mental Health, Economic Inactivity, Carers, Disability, Social Security

The Chancellor has flagged up economic inactivity as an urgent issue. If he looks at this complex challenge and attempts a simple fix, he won’t get the results he wants.

Tough times can bring out the best in people

25 Jan 2023Ryan Miller undefinedMental Health, Health, Cost of Living, Poverty, Sector Issue, Social Policy, Funding

Two new pieces of research lay out two sides of the cost-of-living crisis: poor mental health, and communities rising to meet the problems we all face.

Poverty isn’t just for Christmas

18 Jan 2023Ryan Miller undefinedPoverty, Health, Mental Health, Loneliness, Older People

Distribution of the £600 home energy payment has begun. However, for some older people in Northern Ireland, huge challenges remain as they struggle both with the cost of living and the risk of loneliness.

Eating disorders in Northern Ireland: a problem of unknown scale

16 Dec 2022Ryan Miller undefinedHealth, Mental Health, Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can devastate lives – but, here in NI, treatment services are not comprehensive and we simply don’t know how many people need help.