Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House and she is doing a great job. She is empathetic, sympathetic and totally on top of her brief. The proof on how well she is doing is that budget after budget, the allocation for mental health is increasing. In fact, it stands at 44% since 2020. Mental health is no longer the poor relation in the whole health budget. Maith thú for that.

Many a broken heart is hidden behind a smiling face. It behoves us all, both public representatives and the public, to reach out to one another. Even with regard to people that are perceived to be in good form, there is no harm in asking how they are or if they want to go for a cup of coffee. Particularly when we feel someone is feeling down, we must reach out and ask if they are okay. Irish people have a great habit of asking, “how are you?” instead of saying hello. They do not even listen to what the reply is. Often a person might be tempted to say they are actually not great, but the person is gone. They are not listening. There should be a societal change on that.

I reference suicide, in particular. I have a few friends who have a direct family member who has taken their own lives in that way, and they are devastated. There are so many questions left unanswered and so much sadness left behind. It truly is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Maybe something could be done on suicide prevention because it is such a sad affair that someone can see no way out.

Men are not great at opening up to one another in the same way as women are. In that respect, we are polar opposites. It is important that men are there for one another, and that we as females are there for our male friends. Well done to the Minister of State. There is work to be done, as in every Department, but we can all help in the area of mental health, by asking someone how they are doing.