Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Fianna Fáil as ucht deis a thabhairt dúinn labhairt ar an gceist seo. Is léir go bhfuil an-chuid dul chun cinn fós le déanamh ó thaobh na físe atá ag an Rialtas i leith na meabhairshláinte. The implementation of A Vision for Change is a considerable distance from happening. We have seen a reduction of approximately 1,000 staff since 2008 at a time when demand has expanded massively. In child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, the number of referrals grew by more than 50% between 2011 and 2014. The most recent Health Service Executive performance report from July 2016 indicates a waiting list of 2,298 children and adolescents for a first appointment with CAMHS and I have heard stories of inordinate waiting times of over a year in some instances.

During a contribution to a previous debate on mental health in this House I went to great lengths to emphasise that the many issues relating to mental health are multifaceted, complex, varied and go much beyond depression or suicidality. I maintain that opinion and there cannot simply be a discussion around suicidality or depression as we must emphasise good mental health as well. I underline that point again before going any further. However, given what has happened in recent weeks in my constituency, it would be remiss of me not to raise the following issue in the course of this debate on mental health.

We have had a significant number of suicides on the south side of Cork city in recent weeks, particularly in the south west, with many of the victims being teenagers. I speak on behalf of a community that is hurting and which has been shocked and traumatised by the loss of many people in recent weeks. It is grieving and frightened, particularly for our young people. We are at a loss. I knew two of the deceased personally and one of them I knew quite well. I know teenagers locally who have lost three friends in scarcely a month. The devastation of so many is very evident, from families to neighbours and friends. I am proud of how our community has responded. It has come together and tried to provide the best support it can for the bereaved. Last Friday night I attended a candlelight vigil at the lough and despite appalling weather, there were over 200 people there. Last night there was a postvention session in the local scout hall that also drew a crowd. I commend those who were involved with those initiatives but the community can only do so much.

I support the call, made initially by Counsellor Mick Finn, for a critical incident team to come together to tackle this issue in the city. I have written to agencies in support of this. We need all the agencies, from councils to the Garda, the HSE, Tusla, all the voluntary bodies, schools and public representatives to come together on this. Schools in particular are essential and I appeal to principals to take an active role in this. I call on all our local Deputies to throw their weight behind this as well. If we can bring all these bodies together for major flooding events or accidents, surely we can do so when so many lives have been lost. That meeting must happen soon and action must come from it.

I do not want to play politics with this and I am not interested in blaming anybody. I urge the Minister of State to ensure her Department and the HSE take an active role in this and will be represented. There are gaps locally and we need assistance in filling them. I believe Jigsaw is due to come to Cork soon but the question must be asked of why it has taken so long to come to the second-biggest city in the State. There are four such services in Dublin and it must be delivered urgently. For context, according to some measures, Cork city has the highest rate of suicide in the State at 18.5 per 10,000, with the suicide rate in Cork city considerably higher than the national average for more than 12 consecutive years. The need is very clear.

I put down a parliamentary question indicating that the Togher and Ballyphehane area has been without a permanent psychologist since June 2015. The locums are doing what they can but this is bad for continuity of care, and people in difficult positions and crises need to be able to build a relationship with professionals. I do not have a parliamentary question to hand but I also understand there has not been a child psychologist service in south Lee for some 18 months. All these gaps must be filled and I urge the Minister of State to help assist in tackling the issue.

As our neighbours and friends attempt to pick up the pieces and comfort the bereaved, some may find it difficult to cope. I urge those who struggle to please contact the services and reach out. There are so many people willing to listen, especially after what our neighbourhoods have been through. I urge the Minister to ensure no stone should be left unturned in helping our community to deal with this critical issue and resourcing our services to tackle mental health matters nationally.

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