‘Treat them and street them’ for an early grave
The Government spend €22 million on promoting road safety, but only €1.5 million on suicide prevention.
A large number of those who take their own lives have been in psychiatric care.
This speaks volumes about the treatment and care of those who seek help.
The ‘treat them and street them’ mentality is very much part of the system and there is little or no follow-up procedure for patients. Here in Kilkenny there have been 30 suicides in the last three years. All had been hospitalised previously.
We need an independent board to investigate why suicide is on the increase and to check the treatment and care of each individual.
Accountability has to play its part in all of this.
Sadly, the mentally ill have never been a priority when health issues are being addressed. It is a Cinderella service and the 1945 Mental Health Act is outdated.
This country is in breach of EU and UN regulations on human rights until the Act is updated and enacted.
The mentally ill have no rights and it is a scandal that the Hospital Charter Rights of Patients does not cover psychiatric hospitals.
Anne Ryan
70, High Street
Kilkenny
