Ms Em Murphy:

Absolutely.

It is not only a mental health service; it is also an addiction service, a residential detox addiction service.

I have been working in this area for 22 years. People coming in with a mental health diagnosis have sometimes asked whether they should tell the addiction service they do not have a mental health problem. When I ask why, they say that if they say they have a mental health problem, they will have to get a letter from their GP, psychiatrist and so on, which would hold them back in getting the care they need immediately. That is the risk. We do not advocate in this regard but have been asked questions such as the one I have mentioned. If I refer a person diagnosed with a mental health problem, I have to back up my referral with documentation from a GP and psychiatrist, if the person has one. It can take time and it is a barrier. If I do not, there is a risk that the person's mental health difficulties will be exacerbated. The person could be asked to leave because of their condition or because they do not have the required medication. There could be a medication issue. There are requirements that can slow the process down. Again, somebody who wants care immediately, having gone through a bad time with addiction or mental health issues, will do anything to get the care quicker. If this means misleading those carrying out the assessment, they may at times do so.