Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are in the middle of a virus pandemic and I am afraid there is a mental health pandemic waiting at the other side of it. Day after day, I am contacted by people in genuine trouble. This week, from 1 February to 7 February, is Children's Mental Health Week. Mental health issues have come to the fore for children and adults alike over the past year. The pandemic has taken a great toll on everyone's emotional well-being. Among children, including young children at home, and leaving certificate students, it has led to a lot of anxiety and fear. Doctors who have not seen children presenting before with mental health issues are seeing them more and more. They are worried about what comes next for these children. I have heard of cases of doctors from the children's hospital having referred patients to a local service only for it not to have followed up. In these times of increased anxiety and mental health issues among young people, what are we doing to resource services of the kind required in counties such as Carlow, where there are no child and adult mental health services to speak of?

While I am aware that the Minister of State is committed, we are behind on resources. Recently, a damning report by the Mental Health Commission found significant shortcomings in the HSE-led mental health rehabilitation services in Carlow. People with severe and enduring mental illness are some of the most vulnerable in our community. Rehabilitation provides them with an opportunity to recover and retain quality of life. The report made it clear that an opportunity was lost. We must not lose these opportunities. People dealing with mental health issues are the most vulnerable. They matter and we need to make sure they feel that.

I recently proposed that Carlow become a talking town, a place where anyone can access the help he or she needs at any time without stigma, judgment or obstacles. Can we consider rolling this out nationwide? It is so important. We need to treat mental health like physical health such that going to someone to talk is regarded as the same as going to the gym for a training session. There is no stigma attached to one so there should be no stigma attached to the other. There are supports available but we need to tie everything together and accord to mental health the priority it deserves. I know the Minister of State will do this so I ask her today whether we can establish a system whereby somebody in need of mental health support can just walk into his or her local shop displaying a logo and find the resources needed. This is so important. Information is the key in this regard.

I was going to ask about the vaccine and I am glad the Minister of State is giving the information. There is fear over access to the vaccine, particularly among the over-70s regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine. I am aware that the Minister of State will have a plan in place so people can get the relevant information. It is crucial that they get it. Once they do, it will help. I thank the Minister of State.

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