Spirit of mental health policy is being lost

YOUR editorial and frontpage article (Dec19), convincingly concur on the shameful shortfall for mental health services in Ireland — especially for children and adolescents.

The progressive Vision for Change policy (2006) remains broadly that — a vision, rather than a reality.

The sluggish enactment of this innovative comprehensive policy, has been riddled with contradiction, and professional vested interest. Much negative attention has been showered on the physical inappropriateness of old buildings and the proposed sale of same etc, but it is the range and creative quality of therapeutic flexibility which is much more core to the impasse.