Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased that the Minister of State has intervened. We will watch that space. It is reported that a man was turned away and the fact is that a child was put into an adult mental health unit. The figures set out in the report of the Mental Health Commission indicate that 160 of the 2,056 young people waiting for treatment for mental health issues had been waiting between nine and 12 months. One quarter of those who were admitted for treatment were admitted to adult mental health units. Surely it is unacceptable to treat a child in an adult mental health unit.

In regard to suicide prevention, every three days a citizen takes his or her own life - this is only the number reported. A Vision for Change was launched ten years ago to deliver on a mental health strategy but it has not yet been implemented. I have asked on numerous occasions for an all-island approach to this issue. We should put together an authority that would be similar to the Road Safety Authority to deal with it. Although we are currently discussing a particular problem for young people, the issue does not only affect young people. This State ranks fourth highest in suicide rates among those aged between 15 years and 24 years. I attended the funeral in west Belfast of Fr. Matt Wallace, a Wexford man in his late 60s. He was a wonderful and decent man who worked on behalf of the people of west Belfast for decades. He took his own life. I pay tribute to him. It was an awful tragedy for his parishioners in west Belfast and his fellow priests.

This is an issue that arises every day. It is a crisis that requires a proportionate national response. Irrespective of reforms that the Government is introducing, it is a fact that we do not properly fund mental health services. I ask the Government to respond in a proportionate way to the crisis that has arisen for communities and families. The Members of this Dáil know of a friend and fellow Deputy who took his own life. This issue touches everybody and we need to respond to it. We have not thus far developed a response, particularly in regard to mental health issues affecting young people. It is not acceptable to treat young people in adult mental health units.

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