Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like my colleagues, I commend Deputy Browne on the preparation and introduction of the Mental Health Parity Bill 2017, the aim of which is to put mental health and well-being on an equal footing with physical health. For far too long, mental health has been seen as the poor relation in the health services. The shortcomings in mental health care have been outlined on numerous occasions, most recently in last week's "The Big Picture - Young and Troubled", which focused on adolescents who are seeking emergency help. When one looks beyond the services, one sees there is a great deal of goodwill and energy at grassroots level. People are volunteering their time, funds and efforts to plug the gaps that are being left by the State. I refer, for example, to the Darkness into Light walks, which will take place on many doorsteps next week. Walks have been organised in many places in my constituency, including Inchigeelagh, Ballincollig, Kilmurry and Aghabullogue. Many cyclists from around the country, including my sister, Gobnait Moynihan, who is a local county councillor in Macroom, are taking part in the Cycle against Suicide tour of the country at present. They are volunteering their time and effort to increase the profile of these issues and to raise the funds that are needed to plug the gaps I have mentioned. The message is that mental health has to be on an equal footing with physical health. Caithfear sláinte mheabhrach a chur ar chomhchéim le sláinte fhisiciúil ionas go mbeidh sé lárnach i ngach cuid den chóras sláinte.

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