Mary Henry (Independent)

I will not delay the House by repeating points with which other speakers have dealt. We must deal seriously with the problem of delay in patients being seen in the psychiatric services. I was alarmed to hear recently from a member of a schizophrenia association that there was a delay of about 18 months from the onset of symptoms of serious psychiatric disease until the patient received treatment. That is a concern because, obviously, the earlier one receives treatment for such a condition the better. I hope that, with training for general practitioners and improved access to community psychiatric services, in particular, progress can be made in this area. All surveys show that people with serious psychiatric disease have a higher incidence of suicide than others in the community.

More investment is needed in community psychiatric services in order that when people are diagnosed, there is adequate and appropriate treatment available to them. I appreciate that the Minister of State is addressing this. Despite the increase in expenditure on the health service, the proportion spent on psychiatry has actually declined considerably. This is particularly worrying as there has certainly not been any decrease in the incidence of psychiatric disease. Under-funding of this vital area of the health service must be addressed.

Depression is a very common problem. The general public should realise there is no shame in acknowledging that one suffers from it. Approximately one in four of the population is likely to suffer a serious case of depression at some time in life. It is one of the commonest diseases in the world. It is vital to seek help at the outset of the problem. Even with quite a low level of endogenous depression, we find that people commit suicide during that time.

It seems to be considered politically incorrect nowadays to suggest that alcohol can be a significant factor in some of our social problems. However, it is very significant, especially in relation to the incidence of suicide. While alcohol is a stimulant initially, it is also a depressive drug. We need to realise that the huge increase in alcohol consumption in the last ten years may be a very important factor in the increased number of young men, in particular, committing suicide. The increased use of illegal drugs is also an important factor. We also need to watch the situation with regard to the use of prescribed drugs and over-the-counter drugs which are freely on sale such as paracetamol. People do not always realise that some drugs can be very addictive such as cough mixtures and tablets containing codeine.

My main plea is for money to be spent on community psychiatric services. It may be significant that there is a lower incidence of suicide in urban areas where better community psychiatric services are probably available than in rural areas. I rely on the Minister of State to promote this important aspect.