Call for commitment to mental health in budget

A substantial cross-party commitment to mental health services is the "most obvious solution" for transforming a health system which, in its current form, has "a complete and utter inability" to help  some patients, the USI has said.

In conjunction with advocacy group Mental Health Reform, the Union of Students in Ireland has issued a call on the constituent members of the Government and Fianna Fáil to confirm their commitment to the provision of €37.5 million for mental health services in next week's budget. This funding, both groups argue, is needed "to fully implement the steps for a robust mental health system in Ireland".

Referring to the condition of Ireland's mental health services which were the subject of a Dáil debate this week, USI president Annie Hoey said the "routine" of people presenting to A&E and to the gardaí for help "cannot continue".

“The delay to access to proper mental health services deepens the damages of mental illness. The Irish health system has a complete and utter inability to help patients of dual diagnosis. Oftentimes those who are suffering from addiction also have mental health difficulties. Without proper treatment, mental illness can rapidly deteriorate with devastating consequences," she said.

"The most obvious solution for progression in the field of mental health services is substantial cross-party commitment on immediately setting up 24/7 intervention services nationwide – and we are urging the Government to clarify their commitment to providing the funding for these services in Budget 2017," she added.

Mental Health Reform director, Dr Shari McDaid said the Government has already committed to meeting the recommendations in A Vision for Change, the Government's framework for the provision of mental health services in Ireland. Dr  McDaid said his organisation and the USI were now seeking clarification from both the Government and Fianna Fáil whether this commitment will in fact be realised in Budget 2017.

"In addition, in light of the commitment in the Confidence and Supply Arrangement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, we are calling on Fianna Fáil to ensure that its budget commitment from the Government reflects the agreement to implement A Vision for Change within a full term of Government. In the context of a 48 per cent shortage in child and adolescent mental health service staff and lack of 24/7 mental health services across the country, full implementation cannot wait any longer."