Mother and Baby Unit: The 2029 Deadline Doubts, Revealed
Northern Ireland’s Mother and Baby Unit finally has a confirmed site. It has a costed budget and a government-set opening window. So when JustMentalTalk had the chance to ask two people close to the project whether it will actually open on time, we put the question to them directly. Neither gave back the Minister’s confidence. […]
Episode 27: Dr. Julie Anderson
In this episode, Dr. Julie Anderson discusses the critical state of mental health services in Northern Ireland, highlighting workforce shortages, funding issues, and the urgent need for systemic change. She shares insights on training pipelines, the impact of burnout, and the importance of integrated care for mental health and physical health.
Social Media Curfew Northern Ireland: Will It Protect Teens?
Social media curfew in Northern Ireland: why a switch-off setting won’t protect struggling teens The proposed social media curfew Northern Ireland’s older teens now face is part of a UK-wide plan to switch apps such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube off by default for 16 and 17-year-olds between midnight and 6am. It is a proposal […]
Jools Law: 1 Ruling That Could Transform Rights for Bereaved Families
Jools’ Law: a mother’s fight to see her son’s digital life could change everything for bereaved families A ruling at the High Court this week could matter to every parent who has ever suspected the online world played a part in their child’s death, and it sits at the heart of the campaign known as […]
Episode 26: Órlaithà Flynn MLA – Sinn Fein
In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities in mental health policy, funding, and services in Northern Ireland, featuring insights from Órlaithà Flynn, MLA, Sinn Fein, who is a key political figure in Northern Ireland. We discuss budget allocations, service delivery, data collection, and innovative initiatives aimed at improving mental health suppor
Mental Health Crises Cost NI £45 Million a Year, We Know How to Cut It | JustMental
Mental Health Crises Cost Northern Ireland £45 Million a Year. We Know How to Cut It. So Why Isn’t It Happening? This is not wellness. This is war against stigma. On 24 June 2026, Northern Ireland’s Mental Health Champion, Professor Siobhan O’Neill, launched a new report that does something rare in this space: it puts […]
Episode 25: Diane Dodds, MLA, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)
In this episode, Diane Dodds shares her insights on mental health challenges in Northern Ireland, the state of healthcare infrastructure, workforce issues, and strategies for improvement. A must-listen for understanding the complexities and urgent needs in mental health services. Â
Health Estate NI: 24% Empty or Underused | JustMental
Nearly a Quarter of NI’s Health Estate Sits Empty or Underused. So Why Are Patients Still in Corridors? This is not wellness. This is war against stigma. A report published by the Northern Ireland Audit Office on Thursday 2 July 2026, The Health Estate in Northern Ireland, has laid out the true state of the […]
Children’s Mental Health Northern Ireland: Why We Can’t Count Our Waiting Children │ JustMental
Children’s mental health Northern Ireland statistics have a gap at the centre of them: more than a year on, we still don’t know how long our own children are waiting for help. England Can Count Its Waiting Children. Northern Ireland Has Lost Sight of Ours. A new report from the Children’s Commissioner for England has […]
Episode 24: Anne Kelly and Catherine McBennett
This episode explores the vital role of psychological autopsy in understanding and preventing suicide. Guests Anne Kelly and Catherine McBennett share insights on how this method helps uncover the complex factors behind suicide and supports families and communities.Â