Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

There have been welcome developments in mental health in Ireland in recent years with the launch of A Vision for Change, the report of the expert group on mental health policy in January 2006, the launch of Reach Out, a national strategy for action on suicide prevention and the full implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001 from 1 November 2006.

The Government is firmly committed to the further development of mental health services. The current level of expenditure in this area has trebled since 1997 and this year approximately €1 billion will be spent on mental health services, which includes an additional €51 million allocated since 2006 for the development of services in line with A Vision for Change and the implementation of the national strategy for action on suicide prevention.

Many factors affect the mental health of young people. While the changes which have taken place in society in recent years have brought considerable benefits to individuals and the community, social problems continue to exist which affect young people and their families. The vast majority of young people do not develop mental health problems but at any time approximately 2% will require specialist mental health expertise. These young people experience distress in emotional, behavioural or relationship problems that can hinder learning and social development. We are all aware of the pressures on young people such as bullying, emotional distress, addiction, peer pressure and exam pressure. The stresses and pressures associated with everyday life combine in many cases with difficulties in coping with significant life events, such as bereavement and interpersonal relationship problems.

The promotion of positive mental health along with early detection of mental illness is key to the personal development of our young people. The publication of the two important strategy documents, Reach Out, a national strategy for action on suicide prevention, published in 2005, and Protect Life, a strategy for Northern Ireland, published in 2006, are testament to the determination to address these areas on an all-island basis. Both strategies set out milestones, ranging from general approaches, intended to approve awareness and education to specific plans for specifically targeted at risk groups.

The establishment in 2005 of the National Office for Suicide Prevention provides a centre for developing and progressing suicide prevention policies. In light of the information available around suicide and self harm, it has been agreed with the national office that an interim target for a 10% reduction in suicide will be achieved by 2010. In addition, a target of a 5% reduction in repeated self harm will be achieved by 2010 and a further 5% by 2016.

Since 2006, significant additional funding of €3 million has been provided which brings total funding available to support suicide prevention initiatives in 2007 to more than €8 million. This funding is being used to develop and implement national training programmes, complete the availability of self-harm services through accident and emergency departments, implement recommendations arising from a review of the bereavement services and support voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention.

The overall Irish rate of suicide is below the EU average and is the seventh lowest of the 27 OECD countries. Of particular concern in Ireland, as elsewhere, is the high rate of deaths by suicide among young adults. Based on current official statistics, Ireland has the fifth highest rate of youth suicide in Europe with men under 35 years accounting for approximately 40% of all Irish suicides. Deliberate self-harm is also a significant problem with more than 11,000 cases presenting to accident and emergency departments each year. Reducing suicide rates requires a collective concerted effort from all groups in society, health, social services, other professionals, communities and community leaders, voluntary and statutory agencies and organisations, parents, friends, neighbours and individuals. It also requires the careful nurturing of a culture in which people, particularly the young, in psychological distress will not hesitate to seek help from family or friends, a culture that is willing to help and that focuses early in life on developing good coping skills and avoiding harmful practices.

In October 2007 I had the pleasure of launching the National Office on Suicide Prevention's mental health awareness campaign. The main aim of the campaign is to influence public attitudes to mental health. The campaign is specifically designed to change negative attitudes and to promote positive attitudes to mental health. This campaign involves television and radio advertisements and an information booklet is available through the HSE information line.

I assure the House that the Government is committed to the provision of quality care in the area of mental health and to encouraging all measures aimed at preventing the further tragic loss of life.

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