Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I understand why Senator Fitzgerald went over time because this is a very important debate and there is much to be said. One could spend the day speaking and we would not cover every aspect of it. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I took great heart from some of what he said. I will endeavour not to repeat what he said or the points made by Senator Fitzgerald.

At the end of her contribution, Senator Fitzgerald pointed out that we are in difficult times. The Minister of State must fight very hard to maintain the level of funding for the mental health services. Across the board, there will be challenges ahead. Senator Fitzgerald questioned how the Minister of State can say that mental health should be prioritised. The survival and recovery of this country in difficult times is dependent on the well-being of people. Our only hope of getting through the challenging times ahead is in the resilience and capacity of people to take on these challenging times and come out at the other end. This is not about mental health services as we have become familiar with them over recent years. The debate we are having concerns the impact of the recession on mental health and well-being of our people. It is in the interest of our people and of the recovery of the country that the well-being and mental health of people is supported and nurtured to grow their capacity for resilience. The Minister of State has a very strong case to make for the protection, in so far as possible, of the budget for mental health services, not just as we thought of it until now but for the support and growth of the capacity of the well-being of our people. In these difficult times we are aware of the impact the recession is having on many people and its adverse consequences. It is an increasingly vulnerable time for those with existing mental health problems. It is also an increasingly vulnerable time for people who have never experienced mental health challenges.

This is not just an Irish financial crisis, it is also a global one. At the outset the World Health Organization warned that the economic downturn would spark a rise in the incidence of mental illness and health problems as people turned to alcohol, tobacco and drugs to get them through. With the country being hit particularly hard, it is inevitable that the health and well-being of Irish people will also be adversely affected. There is a proven link between times of economic hardship and an increased demand on mental health services. In The Economics of Mental Health Care in Ireland, the 2008 report of the Mental Health Commission, the overall cost of poor mental health in this country is estimated at €3 billion. One should bear this figure in mind. In the forthcoming budget it is said we need to make savings of €6 billion. The report sets out a compelling economic case for increased investment in mental health services and the point is made that we cannot afford to not invest in them. That is how we should see it, namely, as an investment in people. It is also an investment in our recovery in getting through these difficult times.

While we do not have figures for this country, research has been undertaken recently in the United Kingdom which shows the impact of the economic downturn on individuals. An across the board increase is apparent in all manifestations of mental health difficulties. The impact of the downturn will expose more people to risk factors, including unemployment and other major life changes such as poverty, an unanticipated disruption of income, an uncertain and increasingly stressful work environment and the impact of debt and financial strain. We must bear in mind that the suddenness of the change has had an impact on people and their capacity to adjust. We should also bear in mind the uncertainty of the times we live in and the fear generated.

The Minister of State has outlined the many improvements made in intervention and the goals set out in A Vision for Change and his policy on where we want to go and the direction in which we want to take the intervention services. The See Change campaign is necessary because we must consider what we can do in terms of education, increasing awareness, prevention and boosting people's psychological well-being and mental health. There have been positive developments in that respect in recent years. We must focus on these issues, in particular.

The Minister of State inquired whether we should look at groups or consider the issue on a national level. This is not just about a responsibility to tackle existing levels of mental illness, it is also about preventing an increase and supporting people who might not previously have been vulnerable to the onset of mental health challenges. We are in a time of change and there is an increasing risk posed to far more people than we could have imagined a couple of years ago. Whatever strategy is put in place must take this into account.

Any figures that emerge this year or next year should be treated with caution. The Minister of State has indicated he will look at the figures to consider whether we are effective in what we are doing and if they support the approach taken. However, when the goals and targets were set, times were different. Circumstances have changed. Therefore, when figures are presented, we must interpret them with caution, as they may not necessarily be an indicator of the effectiveness of what we are doing, rather they may be an indicator of what is happening in the difficult times we are experiencing.

We must be clear about a number of issues in terms of prevention and increasing capacity. We are in a time of fear. Uncertainty brings a sense of helplessness which increases one's vulnerability. For that reason, it is important that we show leadership at political level and are clear about having a plan and saying we will get through these difficult times. To that end, we must have an effective national recovery plan.

We must promote a healthy lifestyle. The use of alcohol and other substances is detrimental to one's health. It is possible to promote a healthier lifestyle and resilience by taking exercise, good nutrition, getting a good night's sleep, improving coping skills and tolerance levels and encouraging people to do things they enjoy. We also know how important it is to engage in purposeful activity and to have a reason to get up in the morning. Social contact is essential, as social isolation can result in an increased level of mental illness. This poses a challenge with so many joining the live register. We must say what we can offer people who suddenly find themselves without employment. There are needs in the community that we are not in a position to meet, but many who have a lot to offer are now signing on the live register. They need a reason to get out of bed in the morning and to get out and about. They need a purposeful meaning to their existence and to feel they are contributing. They also need to come into contact with others. We must, therefore, encourage social contact. There is an argument to be made in that regard.

We must consider growing our systems of support and how we can generate positivity. We need to examine the relentless negative messages being received across the board. We all have a role to play in that regard. I do not suggest we should not be honest with people or that we should stick our heads in the sand. We cannot do this, but we all have a responsibility to support people to get through these difficult times. Relentless negative messages increase the sense of fear and helplessness and reduce people's mood and thereby their resilience. While we have limited control over what we say to certain elements of the media, particularly since the media have become such a powerful communicator, we have some control when it comes to the public service element. I feel strongly about the negative messages continuously sent by the public service broadcaster. There is a balance to be struck. I am not blaming anyone or apportioning responsibility. We have as much of a responsibility to show leadership and that we have a plan, but the public service broadcaster must try to meet us halfway when it comes to promoting the well-being of our people. That is not being done.