Many Irish people who have encountered the mental health services in England feel they have suffered enormously in the system.
The story of Irish people who were sexually abused in childhood, then moved to the UK where they developed mental health problems in adulthood, is a common one. One Irish psychiatrist confided that he has never seen a patient who, when allowed to tell his or her story, did not have a history of abuse.
As Anna, a founder of the Irish Descent Mental Health Users Group, puts it: "I was sexually abused, then when I developed problems as a result of that abuse, I felt that I was being punished by the mental health system."
In her time in the system Anna, who is from Donegal, met many people like herself, which is why she feels there is a need for a special support group for people of Irish descent.
More information on Irish Descent Mental Health Users Group is available from Anam Cara.