The Department of Health in Northern Ireland published annual health inequalities report on 10 September 2025 presenting a thorough analysis of the health inequality gaps between the most and least deprived areas in Northern Ireland.
The report revealed a general worsening of anxiety levels and loneliness for Northern Ireland as a whole, as well as an increase in prescription rate for mood and anxiety disorders in both the most deprived and least deprived areas.
Alarmingly, the report also revealed that the suicide mortality rate in the most deprived areas was almost three times the rate observed in the least deprived areas, with the gap widening over the analysed period.
Dr Stirling Moorey, President of the British Association of Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapies said: “The findings of the report highlight the need for NI to continue investing in NHS talking therapies, including the provision of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which are accessible to all.
“Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based method widely recognised and endorsed by national treatment guidelines across the UK. CBT features in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to treat anxiety disorders (including panic attacks), depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis, schizophrenia, eating disorders amongst other.
“In Northern Ireland the pathways to accessing treatment are not straight forward and many rely on referrals by their GP. Northern Ireland deserves consistent, timely access to NICE-recommended psychological treatments—no lottery by postcode. We hope to work with the Government to ensure a single, region-wide standard that guarantees evidence-based care delivered only by appropriately accredited practitioners (e.g., BABCP-accredited clinicians for CBT), mirroring the assurance offered by NHS Talking Therapies.
“Adopting uniform accreditation requirements and service specifications across all five Trusts, will safeguard quality, reduce variation, and ensure that every community, regardless or where they are based, receives the right therapy, at the right time, from the right practitioner.”
