Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on mental health. It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to contribute on behalf of my constituents, with a view to highlighting areas where there are significant opportunities for improvement. I extend my good wishes to the new Minister of State with responsibility for mental health services, Deputy Helen McEntee, and wish her well in her post. I also extend my good wishes to the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris.

Mental health is the most critical health issue facing young people in Ireland. Up to one in four students experiences psychological problems at any given time.

For some the cause may be a psychiatric illness while for others it is bullying, a problem at home or difficulties coming to terms with their body image or sexual orientation. We are not doing nearly enough to help our young people to cope with such problems as is evidenced by the fact that Ireland's youth suicide rate is now the fourth highest in Europe.

As part of the agreement to support a minority Government, Fianna Fáil made it a critical point that the strategy, A Vision for Change, would be implemented fully and the party expects that to happen. Fianna Fáil's recommendations are based on the core principles of early intervention, stigma reduction, peer support, accessible community-based care and giving young people a voice in politics that affect them. I agree with the WHO's statement that mental health is an issue which even the poorest society must afford to promote, to protect and to invest in.

Every young person goes through tough times. It is estimated that at any one time one in five of them are experiencing psychological difficulties. Some Irish studies suggest that the number in this country may be as high as one in four, which equates to six or seven students in an average school class.

Organisations such as Amnesty International, See Change, GROW, Alive2Thrive and STOP thrive in my constituency of Sligo-Leitrim and have done excellent work in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. However, serious stigma remains and it presents a significant barrier to improving mental health. Studies have found that six in ten Irish adults would not want people to know if they were experiencing mental health problems. We must challenge this stigma and normalise the discussion of mental health issues for our young people. They must know that they are not alone in experiencing mental health difficulties. We must ensure that young people with mental health disorders to not face discrimination. Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems among Irish young people, we are optimistic that the situation can be improved if the Government acts decisively. In 1990, Australia's suicide rates were near what they are in Ireland today. However, following significant investment by the Australian Government in mental health reform, coupled with an increase in public awareness about mental health problems and the importance of getting help early, Australia saw a 55% reduction in its suicides rates in less than ten years.

I would like to know how much funding will be invested in mental service services in my constituency of Sligo-Leitrim, south Donegal and west Cavan. I call on the Minister to place mental health on an equal footing with physical health. We must implement A vision for Change, that is, to give a commitment, collectively, that we will not allow another year, five years or ten years to pass without this commonly agreed strategy being implemented and properly resourced.

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