HSE: Mental healthcare to improve within weeks

Standards of care for mental health patients are to improve within weeks, it was promised today.

As more than 100 agencies nationwide marked Mental Health Day, the HSE vowed to implement a range of supports and services by the end of the month.

The body stressed it is moving forward to comply with new sections of the Mental Health Act, which come into force on November 1.

The development of 36 consultant-led mental health teams and the creation of additional regional capacity for severe cases are among the measures being introduced.

More than €19m has been allocated to the implementation of the Mental Health Act, and an additional €2.2m has been allocated to training.

However, the current Government has been accused of failing to respect the human rights of people with mental illness by continuing to underfund psychiatric services nationwide.

The alternative coalition claimed it would be committed to directing significant resources into community teams, suicide prevention and child psychiatric services.

People with Disabilities in Ireland also claims mental health remains the most feared and neglected area of healthcare in the state.

More than 430 suicide deaths were recorded last year, with men under the age of 35 accounting for 40% of all suicides.

“Many young people taking their own lives could be saved if fears around the issue could be tackled and addressed,” said Michael Ringrose, PwDI Chief Executive.

“High proportions of people are suffering in silence, sadly, at a time when there is far greater information available and solutions in terms of medical advances.

“Many conditions can now be adequately dealt with without hospitalisation.”

Concerns were also raised that coverage of an armed siege in Co Galway this week will also reinforces the stigma attached to mental health issues.

Mr Ringrose said language used in a national newspaper will make people who may be feeling vulnerable and alone even more so, pushing them further away from seeking help.

Martin Rogan, of the HSE, said the state is committed to safeguarding people in its care and improving standards across its wide range of services.

New proposals also include having up to four interim beds in each HSE region and providing additional staff training in adult facilities.

Fine Gael’s Dan Neville, President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, slammed Government spending on services.

“In 1960, 20% of the health budget was granted to the psychiatric services, but now the percentage or overall resources directed at this important area reflects a deeply worrying lack of commitment,” he said.

“The Minister for Finance in his first budget continued his predecessor’s policy in not recognising the urgent need restore the level of revenue for the psychiatric services to the level of 1997, at 11% of the total health budget.

“Since that time the revenue has been reduced to 7% of the overall budget.”

To mark World Health Day, DCU launched 500 balloons and the Irish College of Psychiatrists held a public lecture in the National Library. Under the title Building Awareness: Reducing Risk, Mental Illness and Suicide, the day aims to raise awareness of sufferers worldwide.

Mr Neville said the stigma attached to mental illness within all sections of Irish society has allowed the long-overdue reform of the mental health services to be ignored.

“The Government has failed to respect the human rights of people with mental illness,” he added.