High levels of stress identified among local politicians

A survey of county councillors across the State has identified high levels of depression and stress among local politicians.

Almost half of those surveyed say they have experienced depression or anxiety, and almost 80 per cent feel their role as a councillor is impinging on family or personal life.

Two out of every three councillors report experiencing mental stress as a direct result of their political role, according to the research conducted by Fianna Fáil Senator and GP Dr Keith Swanwick.

The most common symptom reported by the 129 councillors who took part in the survey is sleep disturbance, experienced by 54 per cent. Almost half report low mood and 26 per cent anxiety.

A significant minority of councillors also report loss of energy, poor concentration and poor motivation, while 9 per cent said they had experienced loss of libido and 5 per cent had thoughts of self-harm.

One in five have sought medical advice for their symptoms while in 42 per cent of cases, family members have expressed concern about their mental wellbeing.

A large majority of councillors say their duties have increased in recent years and the demands of the job would make them consider not running for local government again.

Isolation

Dr Swanwick says that he was struck by the sense of isolation felt by many local representatives when he visited them during a canvass for votes for the Seanad election earlier this year.

He undertook to survey councillors and to present his findings at the Association of Irish Local Government conference in Gorey, Co Wexford, yesterday.

He says the results are the same for councillors of all parties and for different age groups.

“There’s no buffer zone for councillors, and no secretariat, and that often leaves them exposed,” he says.

Most of those surveyed feel they should have more psychological support and expressed interest in the setting up of a peer support group.

Better pay and administrative supports were mentioned by individual politicians as requirements for improving their mental health.