Responding to publication of the Young Persons Behaviour and Attitudes Survey, the South Belfast MLA stated: “The survey provides a clear picture of rising concerns about mental health among 11-16 year olds. Perhaps most worryingly, two thirds of those with concerns did not seek help.
“This only reinforces the need to take action to improve mental well-being and to address why people are not seeking support. The Mental Health Strategy is designed for this.
“However, we are already two years into the Strategy and it remains the case that there is inadequate resourcing and no democratic scrutiny. This is yet another penalty of the lack of devolution, and it is fundamentally wrong that this penalty should be paid by our young people.
“It is time to restore the Executive and the Health Committee and get on with implementation of the Mental Health Strategy so that the worrying trends outlined in the survey are reversed swiftly.”