Amnesty condemns services for mentally ill

THE Government has been accused of shamefully neglecting mentally ill people in a damning report by Amnesty International.

The world’s leading human rights organisation says that services for mentally ill people are inadequate, slow, inconsistent and severely underfunded. Despite the economic prosperity of recent years, the Government has failed to act on a series of national and international reports criticising its failure to respect the human rights of people with mental illness, Amnesty says.

According to the organisation, one-in-four Irish people are affected by mental ill health, yet this area has been consistently ignored by the Government. The report, Mental Illness - The Neglected Quarter, reveals mental health services for vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, the homeless, prisoners and others are deficient.

In a highly critical report last year, the United Nations said that, with the favourable economic conditions in the country, there were no insurmountable difficulties preventing the Government from delivering on its obligations.

Also last year, the Mental Health Commission said it was an out-of-date service requiring radical change.

In a recent survey, the Irish Advocacy Network found more than half of mentally ill patients receive no diagnosis and are ignorant of the side effects of medication.

The World Health Organisation provided a detailed account of what is expected of national health services in its 2001 annual report. Yet, despite these reports, Amnesty International Irish Section director Seán Love says little action has been taken.

“We have seen the Taoiseach recently launch the European Year of People with Disabilities, and no doubt there will be many good media opportunities for Government ministers as Ireland hosts the Special Olympics this summer. So, we have, and will have, the rhetoric of interest. But what chance is there of our Government actually delivering on our human rights obligations to one of the most vulnerable groups in society,” Mr Love said.

However, Junior Health Minister Tim O’Malley last night said it was unfair to suggest there was no action being taken and pointed to the amount of extra money put into the sector in recent years. Mr O’Malley conceded the increase did not keep pace with recent years but emphasised he would keep pressure on the cabinet to maintain high levels of funding for the sector.

The junior minister, with responsibility for mental health and disabilities, also pointed out there were three new psychiatric units opening this year. He acknowledged there were challenges ahead but also insisted much progress was being achieved.