Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I had no intention of speaking today but I want to support the work of Deputy Browne and to acknowledge the importance of this debate because I recollect the angst and annoyance of the public 12 months ago when the mental health services were being discussed regarding the lack of attendance in the Chamber to discuss such important issues. Today's debate and the work that has been done over the last 12 months is testament to the fact that we listen to the people who we represent and that we endeavour to represent their views and are trying to improve the situation on mental health. I particularly welcome that the Ceann Comhairle has indicated that there will be a symposium on the issue the day before Members return after the recess. The precedent was set last year with the symposium on Brexit and it is a worthwhile initiative to inform and involve those in the services. I compliment those who provide those services, in many cases with very little financial support.

I will focus on the lack of professional people to deliver the services. This applies not just to mental health but right across this country, whether it is in education or health, people are crying out for myriad services. We need to address the point that many people are working in the private sector rather than coming into the public sector. I was a primary school teacher for 35 years, and when the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, was appointed I engaged with her on what I view as a major reform of the curriculum, incorporating life skills into classrooms. Mental health has always been an issue but the mental health of younger people is something we have not spoken about enough. I attribute much of that to the boom. There is a need to bring life skills into the curriculum. For instance, the Stay Safe programme, which provides sex education for children, had a huge impact when it came into the schools. There are myriad programmes on mental health, not just in this country but across the world. They can be delivered to younger people to make them safer and healthier.

Approximately 15 years ago, under the old health board regime it was proposed - and implemented to a degree - that programmes be integrated in order that they would be available to schools. This included programmes on healthy eating, and I remember the Bí Folláin programme distinctly. That work was done and a teacher on secondment was paid for to ensure that the programmes were available to the schools. A difficulty arose within the Department due to copyright issues and schools were not allowed to use the programmes. I raise that as an issue. There are myriad programmes out there but it is important to make use of them. There must be greater flexibility within the curriculum to teach life skills, and we should talk to children at a young age. Talk may be cheap, but it is very important when it comes to mental health.

I again commend Deputy Browne. Many other people were mentioned because of their great work down the years. I am not going to name them again, but I commend them. We need to keep these issues to the fore. I have had discussions with the Ceann Comhairle on championing the issues of mental health and disability and the issue of climate change. We are sending out a much better message now about how we will deal with mental health. As a Deputy representing the constituency of Louth, I make the point that the many organisations involved in mental health need our support. This does not just involve financial support, but general support to encourage them to deliver a better mental health service.

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