Perspectives and Possibilities: Mental Health in post-Agreement Northern Ireland

Abstract

Mental health is considered one of the most important issues in the post-conflict reconstruction period. 1 Northern Ireland is no exception is this regard. There are numerous studies that show that the 30-year conflict has had an impact on the general and mental health of children and adults in Northern Ireland 2 , although the poorer sections of the community were most affected. The Consultative Group on the Past (2009) notes that working class and border areas, in particular, experienced victimisation, ranging from economic and social deprivation to the oppressive presence of military and paramilitary forces. It is estimated that one in six people in Northern Ireland will suffer from a medically defined mental illness at some stage in their lives. 3 In comparison to the UK average mental health needs in Northern Ireland are 25% higher. 4 As a result of the conflict young people in Northern Ireland face a higher risk of mental ill health in comparison to young people in both England and Scotland. 5 But how does society at large understand what the impact of the conflict has been? How do professionals and policymakers understand this legacy and what needs to be done? In recent years, the work of victims/survivor groups supporting those affected by the political conflict has been instrumental in highlighting the ongoing impact of the conflict and the need for sustained interventions. However, this article contends that this has also, at least in part, resulted in the mental health impact of the conflict being wrongly seen as only a “victims” issue. Although it is vital to offer support services to victims, we argue, this focus has missed the wider impact of conflict on society and also belies a larger debate within the mental health profession about how to conceptualise mental health problems, i.e. as a definable and diagnosable psychopathology or a wider social problem.