Mental health charities call for extra €200m in budget to meet increasing demand

More than 9,200 people are waiting more than a year to see a primary care psychologist, Mental Health Reform says. File picture

At least €200m extra needs to be given to the mental health budget in 2026, such is the level of need for essential services, Mental Health Reform has said.

This would increase the mental health budget, as a percentage of the overall health budget, to 6.5% — which would be still half the percentage allocation 40 years ago, the body said.