Mental health campaigners have said the latest critical report on the state of services should act as a wake-up call to government.

Mental Health Reform says it is “deeply concerned” that some vulnerable people still live in “mini-institutions” where there is no respect for their privacy or dignity.

People using mental health services feel they have little control over their own lives.

The need for 24/7 crisis community-based mental health services was raised with the Mental Health Minister Helen McEntee yesterday when she was handed a petition signed by 12,000 people demanding better services.