Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency launched an updated Infant Mental Health Framework and Action Plan on 5 March in Belfast. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced the plan, which targets interventions from pregnancy through to children aged three years.

Senior representatives from health, education, early years, government, and community sectors attended the launch conference. Speakers presented data on risks to early childhood development.

Emily Roberts, Interim Director of Nursing at the Public Health Agency, defined infant mental health as social and emotional development from pregnancy to age three. She stated that research connects early attachment and caregiving to later mental health, physical health, education, and social results. Roberts added that early action cuts risks from stress and adversity.

The framework updates the 2016 version. It stresses work across sectors, cuts in inequalities, trauma-aware methods, and parental wellbeing in the perinatal period. The plan links to broader public health aims for lifelong health and resilience.

Mike Nesbitt noted that the first 1,000 days of life affect later results. He said the brain grows fast in this time and reacts to external factors. Nesbitt called for multi-agency efforts to build strong caregiver bonds.

Frances Lyons, Head of Research and Evidence at the National Children’s Bureau in Northern Ireland, welcomed the Starting Well plan. She pointed to needs for early help among families with poverty, mental health problems, or trauma.

In 2024, 19,416 babies were born in Northern Ireland. Twenty-three percent of children live in relative poverty, and 20% in absolute poverty before housing costs.