Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. She has a good point which many of her colleagues make every day in the Dáil and Seanad. The first port of call for anybody who is in distress should always be the GP. Always reach out to somebody in your family, if you can at all. So many people do not reach out. If the GP or an ambulance is called, you will be brought to the emergency department.It would be expected that, within a short space of time, you would be seen by somebody with a psychiatric background to conduct an assessment. That is the most important thing. It is also important that people realise recovery is possible. In the HSE at the moment, there is a new group which is recovery and education-focused. Everyone working there has lived experience of mental health difficulties. We include peer support, which is important.

I am happy to speak to the Senator offline about the two cases she raised to see if I can do anything to help. All I can say to people is please reach out if they need help. I know in these cases people reached out but they felt sufficient help was not provided. I am very sorry that was the case.