Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I thank the Senator for bringing this matter to our attention. In particular, I thank Shauna, who has spoken very publicly on her challenges and what has happened to her. That is really important for all of us. I again thank Senator Stephenson for raising Shauna's case today.

Today gives me an opportunity to update the House on the ongoing work to improve women's health outcomes and experiences. The Minister for Health has previously said that we cannot be satisfied with anything less than a health service that provides true equality of care and treatment, where gender is not a barrier or a disadvantage. The two women's health action plans, along with the significant investment, have resulted in important improvements to women's health services in Ireland. The women's health task force and these action plans have increased awareness of many women's health issues among the public and healthcare professionals.

The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, recently approved funding for the development of a menstrual health awareness campaign which is currently being developed by the national women and infants programme in the HSE. She is developing that at the moment. The first phase of this campaign will involve a comprehensive evaluation of current attitudes and knowledge of all related topics. The campaign will aim to balance information regarding what is normal versus what could be abnormal. It will focus on a range of menstrual health disorders and associated conditions. One of the results of the research phase will be the development of a communications strategy with communications for areas requiring focus. The 2022 Healthy Ireland survey included a module on this issue in health and period poverty was the other issue. The results indicated that 51% of women had missed daily living activities on occasion because of period symptoms and that 24% had experienced period poverty. Healthy Ireland and the HSE national social inclusion office teams have recently set up linked websites on the topic of menstrual health and period dignity.PMDD can have a significant impact on mental health. It is characterised by debilitating emotional symptoms occurring between ovulation and when a period begins. It is associated with an increased risk of problems, including depression and anxiety. Treatment for mental health impacts can include talk therapy and counselling, as well as medication. Both have been found to have a beneficial effect and it is important that anyone suffering with PMDD can access support in a timely way. Women with PMDD can also access a range of mental health supports in the community.

Mental health services are provided by the HSE across community and hospital settings. There is a nationwide network of adult mental health teams which provide multidisciplinary supports. The teams provide specialist supports to those who require more supports than their GP or primary care psychology can provide. GPs are the key pathway for anyone with PMDD who needs support with a mental health problem, including referral to secondary care. GPs also have access to mental health resources at primary care level and can refer patients to counselling services such as SilverCloud. A GP may also refer somebody for more expert input, if he or she feels that is needed.

The national counselling service provides free counselling to those with medical cards. Beyond this, community and voluntary organisations are funded to provide mental health services and supports, including talk therapy, counselling, suicide bereavement services, helpline and crisis support services.

The Senator spoke about education. Female and male health education in schools is supported through the social, personal and health education, SPHE, curriculum. The HSE has resourced developments to resource and update the junior cycle SPHE curriculum, which include developments in supporting, teaching and learning about male and female reproductive systems.