Government criticised over mental health services

The Government is being criticised for the state of the country's mental health services.

The new director of Schizophrenia Ireland says that the services are outdated and has expressed dismay at the lack of progress in developing a better service.

The new director of Schizophrenia Ireland, John Saunders, took the opportunity to lambast the Government on its handling of mental health services at the organisation's annual general meeting in Dublin.

He called on the Government to carry out a complete and total review of mental health care.

Mr Saunders said the urgent areas which need immediate action include antiquated psychiatric hospitals, the inadequate provision of the proposed mental health bill and the detention of people with mental illness in our prisons.

He added that the situation must be addressed given that we are in such a prosperous financial climate.