A public petition can be submitted by an MLA to the Assembly’s Speaker for presentation to the relevant Minister.
Mr McReynolds has said: “ADHD can impact people with the condition’s lives in any number ways, such as experiencing restlessness, having trouble concentrating or focusing, acting on impulse, and becoming overwhelmed with the world around them.
“Our understanding of the condition has grown rapidly in recent years, and it is clear that we must take action to prevent more people who need help and support falling through the cracks. We could potentially have two missed generations of young people on our hands, many of which having grown up without a diagnosis, and struggling with the condition into their adulthood.
“This is only exacerbated by the fact that adult ADHD services are not commissioned here in Northern Ireland, as I recently found out from the Health Minister in response to my written question on the issue.
“Since highlighting the issue, my constituency office has been flooded with concerns about how difficult it is to obtain a diagnosis and the potential next steps towards improving their quality of life and mental health. This is completely untenable, and something needs to be done.
“I would urge the public to sign my petition, which will be presented in due course to the NI Assembly, calling on the Health Minister to commission adult ADHD services in NI, as well as implement a general ADHD Strategy.
“Since launching the petition, I have had so many people reach out to me and make it clear just how vitally important these measures are. The implementation of them will contribute greatly to improving the quality of life for so many in Northern Ireland who are struggling, and have been for a long time.”
Sign the petition here.