Mr. Martin Rogan:

One of the things we have seen in recent weeks is that sometimes when people have mental health issues they do their utmost to pretend they are fine and they minimise and carry on with things. When family members came together, they suddenly discovered that their partner, son or daughter was masking a significant mental health need, be that anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, drug or alcohol use or gambling. These difficulties have then come forward quite pointedly and urgently. In the last week, the HSE has published its 2019 service update on all population areas and the different age ranges. We can expect to see a slow burn effect as a result of Covid-19. People cope in the immediacy of the here and now and having come through that, sometimes when people look back they feel the dislocating effect and the fact that certain routines and supports protected their health, such as outdoor exercise, connection with friends and a range of activities. When these supports are withdrawn, it is only over a period of time that the real effect of this becomes more apparent. We can expect to see this emerging more over the course of this year.