Patients ‘cannot afford’ GP visits

SOME people suffering from mental health issues may be avoiding visits to their GP because they cannot afford it, the Samaritans said yesterday.

Director of Samaritans Ireland Suzanne Costello said there was “anecdotal evidence” some people were avoiding trips to the doctors so as to save cash.

In-depth interviews with working-class men in the 30 to 50 age group conducted by the Samaritans also indicated that many of them have been deeply affected by the pressures of the recession, and in some cases have been violent or angry before accepting their situation.