Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)

Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day. I wanted to give a nod to the fact that with genocide, racism and an increase in violence and brutality worldwide, huge damage is being done to people's mental health. We hope that the peace plan announced today for Gaza will bear fruit, but we still have huge issues of ecocide and genocide that are causing massive damage to the mental health of so many children, in particular those who are orphaned or disabled. I must mention Sudan in this context. I feel it is important to note that. I am wearing a keffiyeh in solidarity with those sentiments. This is a cultural symbol of Palestine, a symbol of fish and nets and olive trees, rather than a political symbol, as it is being interpreted.

It is obviously welcome that the suicide rate in Ireland has reportedly come down since 2020, but suicide is still the most common cause of death among young people. That is a horrific indictment of our system and according to the CSO, it is the most common death for 18- to 34-year-olds. A mental health survey by Laya Healthcare shows that 43% of the population struggle with their mental health. A UNICEF survey has found that Ireland ranks 24 out of 36 countries for good mental health among young people, with one third being unsatisfied with their lives. We have a huge mental health crisis among young people that has to be seriously explored. It certainly does not help that so many young people do not have the prospect of a home of their own and have to consider emigrating and so on. There are obviously other causes too.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and Sláintecare have stated repeatedly that mental health should be 10% of the health budget, but yet here we are again, and it is 5.8%, so it is just over half of what is needed. That really is an indictment at a time when we have a budget surplus. Some patients are waiting more than six months for public counselling. Most people do not bother waiting for public counselling. We all know most people scrimp and save and try to pay for it themselves, a bit like what happens with dental care. but it risen by over 40%. On the CAMHS waiting list, 620 children are currently waiting more than a year for access and 4,437 are waiting for access to an appointment. In 2023, Ireland had 30.7 psychiatric hospital beds per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with an EU average of 71 beds, so it is around half of the EU average. Some of the beds that have been announced are in the children's hospital, so they will not be available for a long time.

I want to mention the 24-7 accident and emergency services that are meant to be available for people who are suicidal. Annually, 51,000 people have a mental health crisis and go to an accident and emergency department. The suicidal ideation action plan for the HSE states that there should be 24-7 mental health services available in most hospitals. However, in hospitals that are 24-7, people who work in that sector have told me that only 70% currently meet the psychiatric liaison accreditation network standards and eight of these departments lack any appropriate space for mental health crisis. People show up at an accident and emergency department and often leave again because they do not get the proper care . Unfortunately, some end up taking their own lives. This has been seen again and again by so many families. The Minister of State admitted that overcrowding and a lack of staff are leading people to go into hospitals when they should actually be getting care elsewhere. Then, they are not seen quickly enough and they end up dying.

The promises regarding 24-7 mental health services that were made a decade ago need to be delivered. Mental health reform is needed in order to alleviate the worst aspects of the problem. A psychiatric nurse is often sent along with a garda to deal with somebody in the midst of a mental health episode. That is not a good approach because some gardaí - I am not saying all - are not trained in this area.

We also know there has been a poor track record of gardaí dealing with people in the throes of mental health crises. It is not a good approach. We know there has to be specialised support for people.

I want to mention the perinatal mother and baby unit, which will cost €13.5 million. It has been promised for the past couple of years but it is still not in place. The lack of such a unit means that when mothers are put in adult units they end up getting separated from their babies. CAMHS is a huge area that needs massive resources. The waiting lists are increasing and the staffing is going down. This needs to be addressed.

With regard to Traveller community mental health, it is some indictment that members of the Traveller community are six times more likely to take their lives. One survey found that two thirds of Travellers know somebody who has taken their life. This study found discrimination and racism to be a major factor. The Traveller mental health action plan was never fully implemented. It was promised in the previous programme for Government and it is urgent.

I want to mention eating disorders. The Minister of State has been challenged on this by many activists. Eating disorders are the most deadly mental health condition. The HSE estimates that 180,000 people are affected by eating disorders. A couple of years ago, 220 people were admitted to hospital for eating disorders. There was a doubling over the pandemic of people aged under 18 being admitted. Many promises were made by the Minister of State regarding eating disorder provision. Bodywhys has seen a 20% increase in demand but it gets very little funding in comparison with other NGOs. Funding is meant to be available to add two new eating disorder teams but where are these services?

In the time I have left, I want to ask about the mental health of LGBT and trans people. From previous debates with the Minister of State, I know it is an issue she is personally invested in. What is the Government's stance on the Gender Recognition Act? My feeling was that the Government supported it. It was introduced ten years ago by the then Minister for Social Protection. During the week, a former Minister for Social Protection was asked about it in an interview. She said that somebody who is trans should be classed as transitioning and not as male or female. She said the Gender Recognition Act should probably be looked at and that it is all very complex. To me, this is a very dangerous signal to be sending out to trans people at this time, when their lives and whole existence are being undermined and threatened. It needs to be addressed by the Government. That person is not in government now but is standing for the Presidency, Heather Humphreys. They are sending out a signal, leaning into this very far right vote, with the disappearance of Maria Steen and the disappearance of a Fianna Fáil candidate.

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