Mental disability services 'non-existent'

PEOPLE with a mental disability have more difficulty accessing psychiatric services than the general population, despite having greater need for such treatment, a study has revealed.

The National Disability Authority claimed the results of the report show the availability of psychiatric services to people with intellectual disabilities is virtually non-existent.

One of the report's main findings is that the health of people with the dual diagnosis of mental disability, and psychiatric problems suffers disproportionately. It believes mental health conditions that are routinely addressed among the general population, are left undiagnosed and untreated with such patients.

Chairwoman of the NDA Angela Kerins yesterday described these findings as "alarming".

Pointing to the fact that 2003 is the European Year of People with Disabilities, she said the current lack of availability of such services for people with mental disability needed to be addressed "as a matter of urgency".

It is estimated that around one in three, or around 8,000 people with intellectual disability, also suffer from some psychiatric condition. Of these, around 4,500 may require some type of specialist assessment or treatment.

Problems are believed to be most acute among 15 to 35-year-old males, while the report also suggests a strong association between intellectual disability and social deprivation.

"The NDA is alarmed with the review's findings, which clearly show that people with intellectual disabilities are being discriminated against, and denied access to acute psychiatric services", said Ms Kerins.

In one case study, one young adult ended up living homeless in Dublin after being placed in unsuitable accommodation which provided no therapy.

NDA director Claire O'Connor said one of the report's main recommendations was the establishment of specialist community teams, and regional special units to address the current lack of services. The NDA estimates the cost of such services at around €17.6 million per annum.