Mental health study largest ever carried out

The largest ever study into the mental health of Northern Ireland is to be carried out by University of Ulster researchers – a conference heard today.

Speaking at the Second Annual Mental Health Conference held at the Magee campus, Dr Siobhan McCann and Dr Sam Murphy explained how their study would be used to help set priorities for health provision in the future.

The Northern Ireland Study of Health and Stress is part of a global initiative launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Northern Ireland is one of 27 other countries across the world taking part.

The aim of the project is to gauge the state of physical and emotional health within families in Northern Ireland. The researchers will look at all aspects of mental health covering a wide range of issues such as depression, eating disorders, post traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse.

“This study will present a clearer picture of the mental health of the population of Northern Ireland than we have ever seen before. It will be the largest study of its kind ever carried out here,” explained Dr McCann from the School of Psychology.

“We will be contacting 3,000 households, inviting them to take part in the survey. Our aim is to measure the prevalence and severity of mental disorders, to assess the use of medication and other treatments and to see what barriers people have in getting treatment. We will also be looking at the family context and the social predictors of mental health.”

The Second Annual Mental Health Conference entitled Innovation and Challenges for all in the 21st Century began at the University of Ulster’s Magee campus on Thursday and ends today.

It brings together both mental health practioners and individuals who work in schools and communities who actively endorse holistic health and well-being.

(MB/SP)