Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is unethical and immoral that any budget dealing with mental health or with people with a disability should be cut. I believe those budgets should be sacrosanct and I hope the Minister of State will be able to achieve next week the avoidance of any diminution of that particular budget. Members know what to do, as A Vision for Change tells them, but having a document and a strategy is one thing and implementing it and putting it into action is another. We have the crisis because the implementation has been so slow. The figure for 2013 when it comes to suicide is 10.6 per 100,000, 80% of whom are male and there are significant numbers every year. In addition, homelessness is on the increase and it is known that it is homeless people who are presenting generally with mental health issues. Consequently, it is vital for those working in services for those who are homeless, be it the voluntary housing associations or the local authority, to have the requisite training and skills. This means applied suicide information skills training, ASIST, and counselling skills, even basic counselling skills.

While the motion's proposals are commendable, we again are missing the vital element of prevention and education. In Ireland and in its health system, so much is reactive instead of being proactive and preventative. I think in particular of young people, children and teenagers, as very early on, their parents, teachers, youth leaders or sports managers will be able to identify those who are vulnerable or are troubled, those who are stressed or anxious with suicidal tendencies, as well as those who are dabbling in drugs and alcohol or with eating disorders. The problem lies with what happens when it is identified because all too often, there is no immediate access to a service. In the meantime, the delay leads to further emotional and psychological damage, not to mention economic damage, by the time the person in question may avail of a service. Members must examine what is working and what is making a difference. Many things do that and it is known that in the case of young people who are involved in arts, drama and sports, that all is effective in building self-esteem and resilience.

It is known that people will be anxious and will be stressed but the question is how to deal with it and there is a simple technique called mindfulness. It is not very expensive but is highly effective. Moreover, it is proving to be effective with young people, as well as those who are in recovery from addiction. I will mention in particular groups of foreign-national young people in the north inner city, who I know, and whose status is uncertain. They are dealing with the anxiety of not knowing whether they will be deported. Again, there is the issue concerning tablets and the idea of a pill for every ill from which we really must get away. While I commend the motion and all the amendments that are being tabled, I believe prevention is the factor we are not getting right.

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