Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I had a very disturbing conversation with a young man ten days ago. He has 20 friends in a social circle and he told me that 18 of them are using drugs. Unfortunately, the two in the group who do not use drugs are struggling with their mental health because they are being ostracised for not joining in. His younger brother has the same problem. When he tries to join his friends, they just turn their backs on him as if to say he is a spoilsport or self-righteous. It is equally stressful for the parents involved, seeing their children trying to do the right thing but struggling to deal with being shunned by their friends. Will the Minister of State ensure mental health is part of universal health coverage by including care for mental, neurological and substance use disorders?

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