There can hardly be an area where hope, where optimism can be such a catalyst for recovery as it is when individuals or families are confronted with mental health difficulties.

The Government has been urged to set up a “crisis response team” to examine a spate of suicides on the south side of Cork City which has seen at least five young adults and teenagers die “in scarcely a month”.

The Irish Medical Organisation says the €25m allocated to mental-health services in yesterday's Budget doesn't go far enough.