TDs and senators to receive mental health counselling

TDs, senators, and their staff are to get mental health counselling to help them handle stress from their work brought on by the financial crisis in recent years.

Oireachtas officials have responded to an appeal by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams for support, after he said Britain’s House of Commons offers politicians resources for mental health services. Training and advice is being arranged for members and their staff by See Change, a network of organisations which promotes mental health.

Mr Adams originally appealed last year to Peter Finnegan, acting secretary general of the Houses of the Oireachtas, for the support services. The Oireachtas Committee on Administration wrote to the Louth TD in recent days, announcing planned workshops for TDs, senators and their staff.