Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not know how many more engagements we will have from one side of the House to the other. On this World Mental Health Day I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and her staff all the very best. I know we have had political differences over the years but I wish you all the best on World Mental Health Day.

I want to thank everybody working in mental health services on World Mental Health Day, and particularly those in the community and the voluntary sectors for giving their time and their energy to people who need it so much. We are often critical in relation to some the statutory organisations when it comes to mental health, but I want to make sure that such criticism is based on the lack of funding, which sometimes stems from political decisions, and is not directed at the workers themselves. Those to whom I have spoken who work in the mental health area do so as a vocation and because they want to make a difference in people's lives. I want to acknowledge all the work they do.

I thank all the staff working in CAMHS, the psychiatric nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, psychotherapists and volunteers. I really need to mention the volunteers, because a lot of our organisations, especially in the community and voluntary sector, are run by volunteers who give of their time to help some of the most vulnerable people in society. I have probably missed a couple of people but I want to thank everybody who works in mental health services for the work they have done over the last number of years and continue to do.

I received the Department's leaflet on the Let's Talk About Suicide programme. This is very welcome. It is a conversation people need to have. The more people become aware of the appropriate language to use around suicide, the better. I will not give other people lectures on what language should be used but it is an important issue. Yesterday, Deputy O'Rourke and I, along with other colleagues, met members of Save Our Sons and Daughters, SOSAD. Since 2007 this organisation has worked to raise awareness and help prevent suicide in Ireland. It works tirelessly in communities to help those in need, support them and let them know they are not alone on their journey. SOSAD offers support and services for people who are struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harm, depression, bereavement, stress and anxiety. It is a space for people to talk. SOSAD has seven offices, based in Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Laois. So far this year the organisation has seen 1,600 individual clients and delivered 18,000 counselling sessions. I was not aware how acute the issue was but yesterday the SOSAD representatives told us they are in real danger of having to close their doors this year, with only a couple of months left in the year. It does not receive any statutory funding. The representatives said that they have contacted the Minister of State's office a couple of times and been directed to the HSE. That is where the barrier seems to be. When they go to the HSE, it appears that the HSE simply does not want to know.

The Minister of State will be getting a letter from me and the team very soon. I ask her to meet with representatives of SOSAD and have a member of the HSE present. If all the stakeholders are in the one room at the same time, it would be really beneficial. I do not know how we could plug that gap of 18,000 counselling sessions in some of the constituencies I mentioned.

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