Mental health sufferers struggle to access rights

PEOPLE with mental health problems face difficulties accessing their rights to education, work, suitable housing and welfare, a panel of national and international human rights experts has heard.

Organised by Amnesty International Ireland and chaired by former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Paul Hunt, the panel heard 100 people with personal and professional experience of the issues speak about the barriers people with mental health problems can face.

Mr Hunt said many people once thought permanently or inherently limited by a diagnosis of major mental illness have demonstrated that full recovery is possible.

However, despite these significant advances, people with mental health problems remain one of the most marginalised and vulnerable groups in all countries, he said.

One of the speakers, Angelika Lindenau, said she had faced serious housing problems for 12 years. A laughter yoga facilitator and mental health volunteer, Ms Lindenau said she has skills, experience and potential — but said she cannot work because she spends all her strength on surviving.

“The worst aspect is the feeling of utter helplessness in the face of this, and resulting hopelessness of ever living a decent, worthy life,” she said.

Amnesty International Ireland’s mental health campaigner, Karol Balfe, said there is increasing evidence that people living with mental health problems experience social exclusion.

“We know people experiencing a mental health problem are less likely to have a job, are more likely to live in insecure housing and are more likely to have left education because of their mental health problem,” Ms Balfe said.

“This will be a unique opportunity to examine the barriers people with mental health problems face daily, which stop them from participating in society.”

Ms Balfe said the Government had committed to cross-departmental action on mental health.

She said the event showed just how essential this commitment is and the difference it will make to people’s lives.

“We know the gaps in terms of the availability of the full range of supports and services in the community, and the over-reliance on medication in Irish mental health services. Now it is about looking at all aspects of a person’s life and recovery.”

Ms Balfe called on the Government to ensure that people with mental health problems have equal access to jobs, education and housing.