A paper by the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC) confirms the disturbing relationship between paramilitarism and poor mental health in Northern Ireland. Whilst it has been internationally recognised that violence affects wellbeing, this paper is specific to NI and sets out the extent to which paramilitary harm negatively impacts mental health. 

The paper, titled, ‘The connection between paramilitarism and mental health in Northern Ireland’ is informed by research funded by the Programme, and data and evidence drawn from the Programme’s wide-ranging interventions that support those affected by, or vulnerable to, paramilitary harm. For example, within the Programme’s Aspire Project, an award-winning initiative helping to build the coping mechanisms and resilience of boys and men on the edge of the justice system, 94% of the participants had experienced paramilitary threat/intimidation and violence (beginning at age 13 on average); and 94% of them also showed evidence of mental health issues, with 50% having an actual mental health diagnosis. 

This issue is prevalent amongst women too – evaluation of the ‘Developing Women in the Community Project’ has shown that exposure to violence is associated with increased mental health concerns, with nearly 90% of participants reporting having a known mental health issue. 

In conjunction with the launch of the research paper, the Programme is also releasing a short case-study film, titled ‘Violence’, in which a young man describes what it is like to live in a paramilitary-controlled community. He speaks of the fear, intimidation and violence inflicted by paramilitaries and organised crime groups.

Annex C: Project Descriptions - P.18 Drug Related Intimidation Response Scoping - This proposal is to scope a service response to the issue of drug related intimidation using learning from the Drug Related Intimidation and Violence Engagement project (DRIVE) and the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Project (DRIRP) in Ireland and from learning generated through the Programme. 

[The film ‘Community Worker’ is available to watch here]