Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak. As a member of the Regional Group, I am delighted that we have brought this Private Members’ motion to the Dáil today. We call on the Government to publish all data on mental health and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. We want the Government to give a commitment to the effect that mental health will be central to the plan to combat Covid-19. We also want the Government to recognise that mental heath services are an essential part of its response to Covid-19. Domestic violence and acute impoverishment have increased mental health issues during Covid-19. Emergency mental health supports must always be available. The Government must support activities that help the elderly and the isolated so that they can stay connected to their communities. We must put the resources in place to ensure that mental health services continue to function during any future pandemic or similar situation. The Government must put in place a strategy for vulnerable groups in society, as outlined by the World Health Organization and the UN.

We need a commitment that investment will be made in mental health interventions that can be delivered remotely, for example, telecounselling for front-line healthcare workers and people at home with depression and anxiety. We must provide access to information about positive coping methods for dealing with depression. We must prioritise the availability of psychosocial support, especially for those dealing with grief and loss. The Government must commit to the re-establishment of a dedicated lead for mental health within the HSE. It must provide real support to help people recover from Covid-19 by building mental health services for the future to ensure that all affected communities will receive quality mental health services to support their recovery. The Government must develop and support financially the implementation of national services and the re-organisation strategies that shift care away from institutions to community services. It is important to involve people with lived experience of mental health issues and challenges in the design, implementation and monitoring of mental health services. The pandemic has clearly shown that, as a society, we do not have the proper structures and services in place to deal with the current mental health challenges. We need to change that. The motion clearly outlines what needs to be done by the Government.

I have spoken on many occasions about the challenges faced by the younger generation. I am a great believer that exercise plays a vital part in good mental health. However, during the pandemic I have seen another group that needs our support, that is, the older generation. These people have given a lifetime commitment not only to their families but also to society and when they needed help most, unfortunately, they did not receive it. I spoke in recent weeks about the fact that public masses should have been treated as essential services. I spoke to many people, particularly members of the older generation, and one of the biggest challenges they face is the fact that they have not been able to attend daily or weekly mass services. In these circumstances, we need a more compassionate approach.

That is true in all areas of mental health. We need to take a more human approach and to view the issues in a more compassionate manner. It is not only about allocating money to a problem. It is about allocating the right resources. By that, I mean people who are properly trained to deal with mental health issues. On too many occasions in my constituency of Louth I have seen how mental health services have failed my constituents. Many times I have seen people suffering from mental health issues try to access resources, but they are turned away. On occasion, unfortunately, that has resulted in tragedy. That must not be allowed to continue. A person does not need to be a drug addict, an alcoholic or homeless in order to suffer from mental health challenges. On too many occasions I have seen situations where people did not have any outward symptoms and, as a result, they did not receive the proper treatment. Again, unfortunately, that has resulted in tragedy in a number of instances. We must not allow that to continue. We must stop now, evaluate the service we currently provide and put a plan in place to provide proper mental health services. We are facing a crisis and we must act now. The work must start in schools. We must ensure that children are properly equipped to deal with the challenges they may face in life. That must continue through their school and college life. We must also provide support to parents so they can provide the necessary help and guidance to their children as they go through their formative years. It is most important that we support the older generation. They have suffered more than any other section of society during this pandemic. I call on the Government to support this Private Members' motion, not only in words but with actions.

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