Written answers

Thursday, 19 April 2018

Department of Health

Mental Health Services Administration

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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19. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to establish a national co-ordinated helpline and clearly publicised nationwide professional supports for persons with mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16234/18]

Photo of Jim DalyJim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Improving access to mental health services is a key priority for this government. At present there are a number of voluntary and non-governmental organisations being supported by the HSE that are providing mental health support to the public via the telephone, internet or text message.

In December 2017, I published the recommendations of the National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health. These included recommendations to provide active digital listening and signposting services that will be accessible by telephone or mobile phone and on the internet for members of the public. It is envisaged that such services will form part of an overall comprehensive system of mental health care specifically designed for young people but accessible to everyone.

The proposed service will be broader than a telephone helpline as studies have shown that the use of a full array of digital technologies can play an important role in the delivery of mental health supports for the whole population from children up to and including older people. The skills to develop such tools are already available and existing services should be enhanced, expanded and co-ordinated to provide an easily-accessible, responsive, quality-assured suite of digital and online mental health supports and services for people.

The HSE is committed to urgently establishing coordinated ICT based mental health supports including a helpline. Commencing in February 2018, the HSE has initiated the development of a Digital Mental Health Support project encompassing the expansion of ICT based mental health supports in Ireland. Within this project, a key aspect relates to the exploration of options towards the development of a coordinated helpline to assist those experiencing mental health difficulties and their families. Working in collaboration with existing partners in this space, the HSE is currently examining the most efficient, effective and suitable arrangements with a view to providing the optimum telephony based solution. In addition the HSE currently supports yourmentalhealth.iewhich contains public facing information about services and supports. A final date for roll-out of this service is yet to be determined, but significant work is on-going.

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