Dáil debates

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate

Mental Health Services

2:00 pm

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate the requests I have for the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, which I know Deputy Rabbitte will relay back to her. I ask that she come to Cavan to meet people on the front line dealing with these situations. Prevention is what we all want. I request we have more resources put in psychologist support in primary care, that we get a SCAN nurse provided for Cavan-Monaghan and that we get Jigsaw. These are the things we need, from talking to professionals on the ground who are providing youth intervention mental health services. It is critically important, as the Minister of State can see from the numbers I have read out.

I acknowledge the work of Emer Mulligan, resource officer and suicide prevention officer for the HSE and is doing amazing work on the ground with families and communities; of Gerry Soden, health and well-being officer with the GAA, providing immense support for communities and clubs around the country; and of Kathryn McAree, who works with Pieta House providing bereavement services for families afterwards.

I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to relay those points to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler.

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