Northern Ireland’s Mental Health Champion, Professor Siobhan O’Neill, has urged that the region’s “significant history of trauma” be considered before implementing proposed welfare cuts. Her warning follows major changes to health and disability benefits announced by the Labour Government earlier this week.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government outlined a series of measures aimed at reducing welfare spending, arguing that the current system discourages work. Among the proposed changes are stricter eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), the removal of Work Capability Assessments, and an increase in the minimum age for Universal Credit claims.
While welfare is a devolved matter, Professor O’Neill emphasized that Northern Ireland’s unique history of violence and trauma, especially linked to the Troubles, must be acknowledged when considering such changes. Despite the devolved nature of welfare, O’Neill noted that the Northern Ireland Executive may be compelled to adopt these reforms due to financial constraints.
O’Neill, who also serves as Professor of Mental Health Sciences at Ulster University, highlighted the region’s particularly high rates of mental health issues, many of which stem from the violence and trauma experienced during the Troubles. She pointed out that the rate of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Northern Ireland has increased from 5.1% to 6.1% over the past two decades, a rate higher than in other parts of the UK and much higher than the global average.
“There needs to be a strong argument made to the UK Government that Northern Ireland is different from other parts of the UK,” O’Neill stated. “Our history of trauma and violence has had a lasting impact on the mental health of our population, and this must be factored into decisions about welfare cuts.”
At the end of 2024, up to 318,000 people in Northern Ireland were classified as economically inactive, including those who are sick, disabled, students, and unpaid carers. Under the proposed changes, some 35,000 individuals in Northern Ireland could potentially lose access to PIP payments, which are provided regardless of a person’s employment status and are not means-tested.
PIP is designed to assist people with daily living and mobility needs, with weekly payments reaching up to £184.30. However, Professor O’Neill warned that many individuals face significant barriers to work, especially those with mental health conditions. She noted that stigma surrounding mental illness could worsen under the proposed reforms, making it even more difficult for those suffering from mental health issues to find employment.
“There are many factors that impact whether a person can work, and mental health problems are a significant part of that,” O’Neill said. “Stigma around mental illness still exists, and this could make employers less likely to hire someone with a mental health condition.”
She further stressed that the proposed reforms may reinforce the harmful misconception that mental health issues are less valid than physical illnesses, and that individuals with untreated mental health conditions should simply return to work. O’Neill called this assumption “unrealistic.”
With the potential loss of PIP payments for thousands in Northern Ireland, O’Neill expressed concern that vulnerable individuals, particularly those struggling with mental health issues, could face a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts.
As the UK Government moves forward with its welfare reforms, O’Neill’s comments underscore the need for a more nuanced approach that takes into account the unique challenges facing Northern Ireland’s population, particularly in light of its traumatic past.
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