Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies from across the various parties for moving this very important Private Members' motion on mental health and Covid-19. I echo what my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, said in her opening remarks about this issue being raised during what has been a difficult and distressing period for most people.

As stated at the outset, the Government is not opposing the motion. In fact, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the very important topic of mental health. I assure the House that people’s physical and mental well-being have been priority considerations for the Government at all times during the pandemic. This has been reflected in the policies introduced to safeguard the well-being of the entire population, including targeted initiatives for priority groups.

The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, highlighted many of the initiatives that have been introduced or accelerated as part of the Government’s response to Covid-19. In addition, we have introduced specific, targeted initiatives aimed at dealing with issues affecting vulnerable groups. For example, the programme for Government contains a commitment to retaining specific actions for improved access to addiction services during Covid-19. To this end, €480,000 in once-off funding has been provided to support the restoration of drug and alcohol services during Covid-19.

Budget 2021 also provides an allocation of €175,000 for initiatives relating to the victims of domestic violence and the LGBTI community. From this allocation, €50,000 will be provided for online training programmes for health care professionals responding to victims of domestic violence.

The worldwide outbreak of Covid-19 is a source of significant stress, anxiety, worry and fear for many people. This arises from the disease itself, as well as from impacts such as increased social isolation, disruption to daily life and uncertainty about employment and financial security.

A number of studies have been conducted in an attempt to measure the impact of Covid-19 on our mental health and well-being. These include the Healthy Ireland survey, an annual interviewer-administered face-to-face survey commissioned by the Department of Health. It monitors the health and well-being of people living in Ireland. It was paused at the commencement of the Covid-19 restrictions because collecting data face to face is not compatible with those restrictions. The survey fieldwork has started with a new phone questionnaire, with an emphasis on living with Covid-19. It includes a module on mental health and suicide, and the results will be available next year. The CSO has published four rounds of its survey on the social impacts of Covid-19 in Ireland. The results provide data on people's lifestyles and well-being at various stages of the pandemic and levels of restriction. Results of the surveys can be found on the CSO's website.

Additionally, research and a number of studies have been conducted by third-party organisations, including the National Suicide Research Foundation, Mental Health Reform and an international Covid-19 psychological research consortium. The studies examined the impact of Covid-19 on mental health and well-being, and results of these studies can be accessed by contacting the relevant organisation. The Government and mental health services have been particularly active in response to the pressures placed on people's mental health due to Covid-19. In this regard, we recognise the importance of dealing with any non-specialist mental health issues, such as anxiety, before they become more severe. With this in mind, a cross-party Government well-being campaign, In This Together, promotes resources and initiatives from across government to support health and well-being under Covid-19 restrictions. In addition, a well-being and resilience campaign was recently launched, under the theme, Keep Well, to promote resilience, physical health and well-being, and positive health. A sum of €7 million is being invested in this campaign to support initiatives with a range of partners. Included is a component entitled Keeping in Contact, which includes the Community Call programme. It is aimed at people who might be experiencing isolation, and it offers befriending services.

Simple things like keeping active, staying connected, switching off, being creative, eating well, minding one's mood and socialising, while adhering to social distancing and hygiene guidelines, all help to maintain our mental health. However, if someone is feeling low, depressed or vulnerable, the Department, in conjunction with the HSE, has developed many telehealth supports. These may be accessed by contacting the mental health information telephone line 1800 111 888. Alternatively, they may be accessed online at . In addition, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has circulated a mental health information leaflet to 4,000 schools throughout the country to promote awareness of existing mental health services and supports for children, young people and their families. It contains many contacts from many of our NGO partners, including Jigsaw, MyMind, BeLonG To and Pieta House. As mentioned by the Minister of State, it is recognised that vulnerable groups have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19. In response, the Department of the Taoiseach has established a cross-government group for higher-risk groups to achieve this.

Covid-19 has highlighted the vulnerability of people in homelessness and with an addiction. They comprise a group with complex health needs. The HSE has established the Covid-19 Dublin homeless response team and has appointed a HSE clinical lead for the Dublin Covid-19 homeless response. The team co-ordinates the response for the homeless population across the Dublin Region Homeless Executive area. It must be acknowledged, however, that the impact of Covid-19 on socially excluded groups was greatly minimised by the intensive and collaborate approach of the Government, the HSE and society. Socially excluded groups in congregated settings are subject to priority action in detection, case management and contact tracing. A fast-tracked, flexible approach was used for complex cases in these communities. This enabled rapid action and minimised further spread.

The HSE has provided Covid-19 guidance for homeless and vulnerable groups. The guidance document gives general advice on preventing the spread of Covid-19 in homeless settings and other vulnerable group settings, including direct provision. In Dublin, more than 1,000 additional beds were provided, and 400 additional beds were put in place in other local authority areas nationally. The actions being taken in this area are supported by funding provided to the local authorities by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Furthermore, €5.5 million is being provided to enhance health services for people who are homeless and with an addiction as part of the HSE's winter plan. This will ensure that the protective public health measures developed during the pandemic will continue for the medically vulnerable homeless population.

The interdependence of physical health and mental health is was recognised. The need for a whole-person approach to achieving the highest possible standards of physical and mental health and well-being has been recognised in formulating our mental health policy, as has the need to support the wider psychological aspects of physical health. Key to the Government's response to Covid-19 has been enhanced co-operation between the Departments, agencies and NGOs. I thank all who have assisted in the mitigation of Covid-19 in all settings, particularly where vulnerable members of society live.

Next year, the HSE's service plan will reflect prioritised new developments across the health sector. These will include initiatives to improve the mental health of the nation through well-being programmes. In addition, the implementation of Sharing the Vision will have an increased impact on all age groups by focusing on mental health promotion, early intervention, acute care, forensic inpatient care and postvention supports in the community. Greater attention will also paid to improving the integration of mental health and other services, including primary disability services and the judicial sector. Sharing the Vision recommends the continued implementation of the national strategy and policy for the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services. I anticipate that this will act as an important enabler in the realisation of Sláintecare.

Let me address two issues that were raised. We are carrying out an audit of all mental health beds and capacity throughout the country. Twenty-nine new staff were secured in budget 2021 to tackle the CAMHS waiting list. These will be targeted directly at the waiting list.

I thank all Members for the opportunity to discuss the important issue of mental health. I thank them for their input, which will assist us in improving the service.

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