The Price of Life – the issue of mental health in Ireland

Around 6,995 Irish people have taken their own lives by suicide over a 13 year period from 2000 to 2013. In addition to this figure, the number of patients reporting to A&E following incidents of self-harm have risen 6 percent since the recession began.

In 2014, hospitals registered 11,126 incidents of self-harm from 8,708 individuals.

Research carried out by The Royal College of Surgeons has found that one in five young people are experiencing a mental health issue, while AWARE, the national suicide charity, estimate that more than 450,000 are suffering from depression.

In 2012, over two million prescriptions for the top five antidepressants were written for 331,368 medical card holders. Factoring in the 350,000 plus prescriptions dispensed under different schemes and the number of people who access antidepressants on the black market, and up to half a million people are taking anti-depressants – or just over one tenth of the population.

The announcement therefore of the Government to cut €12 million of the €35 million earmarked for investment in mental health has angered the public and raised serious questions about government commitment to the provision of mental health services.

The idea that the Government could not find €12 million from someplace else without resorting to pillaging money from such a sensitive area, illustrates the depth of their commitment to responding to a very serious public health concern which needs urgent financing

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