To ask the Minister of Health for an update on (i) the development and implementation of the Mental Health Action Plan as part of New Decade, New Approach; and (ii) the figures for those seeking help for mental health issues for the last three years, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust.

The Mental Health Action Plan was published on 19 May 2020. The majority of actions are progressing on schedule or slightly behind it. Covid-19 related pressures in the Department, Health and Social Care Board and Trusts has had an impact on the ability to deliver all to schedule. A key part of the Action Plan is to prepare for a new Mental Health Strategy. The public consultation of the Strategy closed on 26 March and I am hoping to publish the final Strategy in summer 2021.

The adult mental health referral figures, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust, are provided below for the last 3 years. Please note that 2020/21 figures are up to the end of December 2020. The figures include referrals from all sources with the exception of Dementia and Psychiatry of Old Age.