Dr. Fiona Keogh:

I wish to add that e-mental health has a particular role to play in making mental health services more accessible for people, particularly those in rural areas. It highlights the need for the joined-up action that is required. For example, people need good and reliable broadband to do that. It is an additional tool that makes that initial contact more accessible. It is not a replacement for face-to-face contact. There is definitely a need for investment in 24-7 solutions.

Mental Health Ireland is partnering with the HSE in Galway, piloting a community café that runs 24-7. It has been located very close to the hospital there to provide that kind of support. It is a peer-led support model. I think we need to be much more imaginative in the kind of solutions that we develop, particularly for isolated rural communities.