Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 14, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “ “dual diagnosis” means the term used when a person experiences both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Treatment options must address both;”.

This amendment deals with the unaddressed issue of dual diagnosis and its treatment in our mental health services. It seeks to ensure the treatment of both conditions is addressed. For far too long, individuals struggling with both addiction and their mental health have been bounced from pillar to post while trying to seek the support they desperately need. These amendments seek to prioritise the rights and needs of people with dual diagnosis, embed best practice values into law and push the system towards an integrated, compassionate and effective level of care. Addiction and mental health issues often go hand in hand. One may lead to the other or compound the other with use as a coping mechanism, particularly in substances abuse. Unfortunately, the existing inadequacies in our mental health system are pushing those individuals into further risk when both of those needs are not met. The mental health issue is still there and is often worse and the addiction becomes more profound as people try to self-medicate or calm their mental health challenges. Without a structured and resourced dual diagnosis service, people will continue to fall between the two stools. That is grossly unfair. Sinn Féin has loudly been in the past, and will continue to be, a strong advocate for a no wrong door policy regardless of the number of challenges a person may be facing. This amendment seeks to embed that in the legislation by establishing a separate section for guiding principles. The amendment highlights that people with both mental health issues and substance abuse disorders require special consideration in policy and in service design. This prevents their needs from being overlooked in general mental health legislation and would be a significant move toward the holistic, co-ordinated and ethical treatment of a vulnerable group.

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