AQW 13735/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 24/06/2024
Answered On Date: 08/07/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the work he plans to undertake with the Minister of Education in relation to addressing self-harm among young people.

Answer:

The Public Health Agency (PHA) commissions the Self-harm Intervention Programme (SHIP) under the Protect Life 2 Strategy. The PHA is currently in the final stages of re-tendering this service for a further three-year period. SHIP provides psychological interventions for people who self-harm in line with NICE guidelines and is available to both adults and young people aged 11 years and older. Children under 11 years who are engaging in self-harm are not eligible for SHIP and should have their needs met by other services that they are involved with.

Currently school nurses and school counsellors cannot refer directly to SHIP but they do liaise with the GP or CAMH teams so that the child can be assessed and if SHIP is appropriate for their needs a referral to SHIP can be made by these professionals.

The PHA have developed a strong partnership approach with Education colleagues in helping to meet the emotional health and wellbeing needs of children and young people. This includes a number of pilot projects under the Department for Education's Emotional Health and Wellbeing Framework which can also provide support for self harm. The extension of the RISE NI service into Key Stage 2 aims to specifically support the emotional health and wellbeing needs of children and young people. The Text-a-Nurse service provides a secure and confidential text messaging service for young people aged 11-19, which allows them to easily and anonymously get in touch with a school nurse for advice and support they may need. There is also enhanced school nursing and regional mental health awareness programmes within schools. Mental Health First Aid training is also delivered in schools to staff to support a person who is developing a mental health problem or who is currently in a mental health crisis.