We must speak for those without a voice

I REFER to the front page article entitled “Shame of mentally ill people forgotten by State” (Irish Examiner, March 29).

It is true that the Government doesn’t appear to care about the plight of long-stay patients. It continues to neglect them 23 years after the publishing of the policy document “Planning for the Future.” Why is this?

Could the answer lie in a phrase in your editorial of the same day that “politicians see no votes in mental health”? If so, then it is an indictment of us as a nation.

Politicians are meant to be our leaders. Often, particularly at election time, they are our followers. If they see we are not unduly worried about the plight of long-stay psychiatric patients, then it is not going to be a priority for them.

When they come to your door, you may be asking for better child care, lower taxes or other services — all fair enough. But if you don’t demand services for those without a voice or vote, you are guilty of a mé féin attitude.

Families, friends and carers of long-stay patients don’t form a large enough group to be able to influence politicians. It’s up to ordinary people to add their voice.

These long-stay patients are people; they have a name and personality. They would have a future if they got the appropriate care. They are being denied their human rights.

The preamble to our Constitution states, “We the people of Éire … seek to promote the common good, with due observance of prudence, justice and charity, so that the dignity and freedom of the individual may be assured …”

Rosemary Dickson

Mawmore

Enniskeane

Co Cork