Seanad debates

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Mental Health Services Funding: Statements

 

10:30 am

Photo of Brian Ó DomhnaillBrian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am deputising today for our health spokesperson, Senator Keith Swanick. I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this debate which, as she rightly said, should be had above the political discourse.

An important element of a functioning society is that we can deal with the issue of mental health in an adult and structured manner. Having a healthy mind is as important as having a health body. Understanding the link between mind and body is the first step in developing strategies to reduce the incidence of co-existing conditions.

Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Good mental health is a prerequisite for normal growth and development. It enables people to lead a fulfilled life and to relate satisfactorily to those around them.

The common characteristic of mental health disorders is that they all impact the affected person's personality through processes or social interactions. These effects are as debilitating as a physical illness yet we all know they are not treated in the same manner or with the same urgency of care. People with serious mental health conditions are at a high risk of experiencing chronic physical conditions. People with chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health, therefore, they interlink.

The number of suicides reported in Ireland has risen enormously over decades from 76 deaths in 1950 to a peak of 554 in 2011. In 2015, some 451 suicides were recorded. In addition to that are those deaths by suicide that are unrecorded. Anecdotal evidence suggests, and we heard reports this week, that there are 1,000 deaths by suicide annually on the island of Ireland. Those stark figures hide an enormous societal shift during which suicide was decriminalised in 1993. Thankfully, other taboos and stigmas around mental health have long gone and it can be dealt with as any other health condition.

Before the enactment of the Mental Health Bill brought forward by Deputy Micheál Martin in 2001, the primary mental health legislation dated back to 1945. It was interesting to note that the third debate on mental health in the current Dáil took place last week. There was also a substantial debate on mental health yesterday during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil. That has to be welcomed, and it brings a new focus to mental health.

It is ten years since the publication of A Vision for Change, which was a ten-year framework for building positive mental heath and providing accessible community based specialist services for people with mental health issues. Its terms were meant to be implemented by 2016 but, to date, just over 75% of those have been met. However, in the area of child and adolescent mental health, the figure is barely 52%. For older patients I understand the figure is 53% and for persons with disabilities, the figure is a shocking low of 19%. It is clear that those who are more vulnerable in society are getting fewer supports, and that issue must be addressed.

There was a commitment in the election manifesto to increase the funding for mental health by €75 million, or €35 million per year, in the lifetime of the Government, which the Minister of State referred to in her contribution. That is a step in the right direction but the vision to spend €35 million for additional services in 2017 will not be met, before we even enter that year. In fact, approximately €20 million of that will not be spent. That is worrying and it falls way short of targets identified in the programme for Government.

I want to raise a number of major issues. The staffing for child and adolescent mental health is 48% below what is required. That is a major issue. There may be staffing constraints and recruitment difficulties but the purpose of the additional funding was to meet those challenges. Two thousand children are waiting for their first appointment, with 10%, or 200, waiting for a year or longer. That is far too long and it must be addressed.

I am not sure what the difficulties are with spending the money next year and I would be interested to hear the reason from the Minister. She addressed that to some extent but it is an issue because difficulties are being experienced. If the funding has to be spent on recruitment next year because of difficulties being experienced, why not give the additional funding, for a one year period, to community groups that support mental health activities in the community at the point of contact closest to those who are suffering with mental health difficulties? We need to adopt radical thinking, even for a one year period, to fulfil the Government commitment on the targeted spend. I would be interested to hear what the Minister has to say on that aspect.

I wish the Minister well. She has a very difficult brief. I am aware she brings a lot of knowledge to the table and that she is passionately committed to delivering on this issue. Ministers in her position in the previous Government found it difficult. I am aware the Minister of State is meeting the challenge head-on, and I wish her well with that. Any support we can provide from this side of the House will always be given.

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