To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 19330/17-22, to detail any inter-departmental strategies or approaches that are being used to prevent, identify and treat eating disorders.

The Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031, which was published on 29 June, is a significant step in improving mental health services for Northern Ireland, including ensuring that those with eating disorders get the care and treatment they need.

The Mental Health Strategy was co-produced together with a broad range of stakeholders, including people with lived experience, carers, the interim Mental Health Champion, health and social care professionals, academics, the voluntary and community sector, and professional bodies. It is the intention that the Strategy implementation will be fully co-produced, which means including and involving all those who can provide meaningful input. This includes implementation work in respect of Action 29d of the Strategy which commits to enhancing the regional eating disorder service.

Whilst there are no inter-Departmental strategies that are specific to addressing eating disorders, there are a wide range of policies in place or under development by other government Departments which have an impact on the mental health of our communities. Many of these are specifically referenced at Annex A of the published Mental Health Strategy 2021 – 31. It is important to recognise the links between these policies. My Department remains committed to continued collaboration and communication with other government Departments and other agencies to ensure this work is joined up and in line with the high level ambition to ensure good mental health across Northern Ireland.