Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. That is welcome and I encourage her to push for the necessary resources and services to be allocated and spent. In response to a parliamentary question, I learned that the non-spend of the €1.6 million allocated to eating disorder treatment in 2019 happened because HSE and departmental officials assigned it elsewhere. When we have these allocations, which are so welcome, we cannot allow this to happen again.

Services and groups that help address the larger societal issues are important too. The State's response to domestic violence continues to be inadequate. The Istanbul Convention’s standard is one refuge space per 10,000 people but Ireland provides one space per 10,000 women, leaving us with 50% less capacity. We ignore men in that and there is very little infrastructure for men. This structural deficit compounds the stigma for male victims and survivors of domestic violence.

I agree with the Minister that the men’s shed movement has made an incredible impact in addressing isolation among men, especially in older cohorts. Any support the Government can give local sheds will have a manifold impact in mental health. Rural transport schemes are also important factors in helping people to socialise. There should be more and later running buses to provide these connections. There is also inadequate supported living and social housing available for people with mental health disabilities in many areas and it is particularly hard for single men to get social housing.

It is essential that we have more conversations to challenge the stigma around mental health to help people get the help they need. It is especially important for boys and men to talk with their families, classmates, teammates, friends and colleagues. If people do anything for International Men’s Health Day, they should have that conversation. When discussing these issues it is important to note that the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day for those who need confidential and non-judgemental support. People can use the Freephone number 116 123 and the number for the helpline of BodyWhys, the eating disorders association of Ireland, is 01-2107906.

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