Campaign urges voters to make mental health a general election priority

A national coalition will this evening urge voters in the upcoming general election to make mental health a priority.

The meeting in the Metropole Hotel, to be attended by Minister of State Kathleen Lynch, will be an opportunity for the public to hear where political parties stand on mental health.

The coalition body, Mental Health Reform — which represents 51 groups — said the event will also permit the public to share any concerns about the issue with candidates.

The meeting commences at 5.30pm.

Along with the junior minister, all political parties and candidates in both the Cork North Central and Cork South Central constituencies are expected to attend.

Dr Shari McDaid, director of Mental Health Reform, said: “The one thing that all parties and candidates agree on is the need to improve our mental health services.

“The ‘Our State of Mind’ campaign is asking voters to remind every candidate to make mental health a priority and to seek five key improvements:

• A nationwide school programme to build good mental health;
• Easy access to counselling;
• Access to 24/7 crisis supports;
• A right to advocacy support and;
• A right to make one’s own decisions about mental health treatment through advance healthcare directives.

She said: “It’s time to make mental health an issue on the doorsteps, and this meeting is an important first step.

“Mental health difficulties touch people of all ages and backgrounds, but services are struggling.”

Dr Shari McDaid

Dr McDaid said, in Cork alone, figures from the end of August showed 537 children were waiting to be seen, in child and adolescent community mental health services.

Given that 75% of mental health difficulties start between ages 15 and 25, she said it was vital the right supports are in place and easy to access.

“We know mental health affects everyone in the country, whether you have gone through a mental health difficulty yourself or know someone who has.

“It’s time to challenge candidates to say what they will do to improve Ireland’s mental health,” Dr McDaid said.

“It will be an opportunity for people to hear where political parties stand on mental health, and to share their own concerns.”

Anyone attending has been asked to email [e-mail] to book a place or log on to www.mentalhealthreform.ie to see how to get involved in the campaign.