Minister told of need for joined-up services for people hardest hit by pandemic impact

Mary Butler, Minister of state for mental health and older people. Picture: Gary Ashe 

A support organisation working with people at risk of homelessness has stressed the need for 'dual diagnosis' services to help those using drugs and with a mental illness.

Both the chief executive of Merchants Quay Ireland, Paula Byrne, and researcher Kathyan Kelly, who has conducted research for MQI on the issue of people's experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic, outlined the need for connected supports, particularly for those people with acute mental illness.