Mental health issues have become a top priority for TDs as they are brought up more often in constituency clinics, according to a recent study.
Incidences of the raising of mental health topics have doubled in TDs’ clinics over the last year, according to the study, carried out by Millward Brown Lansdowne to mark World Mental Health Day.
Nearly half of all TDs took part in the survey, with 56 per cent of those participating saying the topic of mental wellbeing was discussed "very often" or "frequently". In last year’s survey, 27 per cent said the topic was brought up regularly.
The study also shows 63 per cent of survey participants in the Dáil believe delivering community mental health services should be a top priority, along with 59 per cent who believe there should increased funding if there is to be a serious attempt at improving standards of mental health in the country over the next three years.
There is a demand for better mental health services from across the Dáil, according to Fine Gael TD Simon Harris, one of the co-convenors of the Oireachtas Cross Party Group on Mental Health.
"There is a clear appetite for improvement in our mental health services from politicians, regardless of their political affiliation,” he said.
“We also owe it to our constituents to ensure we don't forget how crucial this issue [is] for everyone, even among all the difficult budget decisions that will be made this Dáil term."
Mental Health Ireland chief executive Brian Howard said the figures showed more funds must be made available to mental health services in Ireland.
“Those statistics are solid evidence of the negative mental health in communities nationwide and proof that the Government need to divert funds towards mental health,” he said.
Events are being held across the country today to mark World Mental Health Day. For a list of what events are taking place, visit mentalhealthireland.ie.
