Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I will be as brief as possible. I will support this Bill. Fair play to Deputy Ward and Sinn Féin for their work on the Bill. It is important that as Deputies and as a society we talk about mental health. There has been a marked difference in the past five years in talking about mental health issues. Sometimes, talking about something can halve the problem.

This is about resources. A Vision for Change was published 14 years ago. The budgetary percentages were not fulfilled to tackle deficiencies in mental health services. The new document, Sharing the Vision, sets out a parameter for fixing the vision. That is important. We have said numerous times in the Chamber that this is about early intervention. When people get intervention early, there are better outcomes. If people do not get intervention, then there are worse outcomes, especially around mental health. The outcomes can be dire and people may simply die. If we can get early intervention for people when they need it, the outcomes are better not only for the people concerned but for society, community and family.

We talk all the time about reform. There needs to be a radical overhaul of the health service in this country. One thing Covid-19 has exposed is the fault line in our health service. Covid-19 has revealed what is probably a new phenomenon in human health. Today, the UN said a global mental health crisis is on the horizon or is in existence. Covid-19 has amplified the anxieties and fears of everyone. It can amplify depression, loneliness and all that comes with it. It is imperative that we reach out to our neighbours and family. These are simple things but they can make a major difference.

The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has spoken before about Covid-19. It is important that now and in the coming years we look at the effect Covid-19 is having on society. We need to put in place the facilities and resources that can help people get over it. We will get over this pandemic. However, we need to be in a better place not only in respect of our health service but our mental health services as well.

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