Deficiencies in mental health care persist

  • 25 February 2010
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Tackling the problems of a lack of political will and coordination across government departments is critical in the fight for a respectable mental health system in Ireland, according to Amnesty Ireland.

Amnesty Ireland (AI) held a press conference yesterday on the fourth anniversary of the Government’s mental health policy, 'A Vision for Change'. Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of AI, said:  “Four years after the publication of A Vision for Change, hope has turned to disillusionment. By its own admission, the Government has not brought about the changes necessary to deliver a modern mental health service. This has happened in part because mental health is not given the priority it deserves. We urgently need a renewed political commitment to mental health from all parties.”

(Picture: Minister John Moloney claims progress has been made in mental health care, despite criticism from Amnesty International and members of the opposition)

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AI is calling upon government to ensure that the sectoral plans under the National Disability Strategy have a specific mental health focus and to ensure regular coordination across all relevant departments under the leadership of the Office for Disability and Mental Health.  The conference heard that Ireland could learn much from Scotland, England, the United States and Finland, who have all made significant advances.

In a letter sent to all politicians in the Oireachtas, Mr O’Gorman said, “Only you, as an elected official, can make the changes in policy and legislation that are needed to improve the lives and respect the human rights of people with mental health problems.”

Mr O’Gorman also highlighted the economic effects of an antiquated and inefficient mental health care system. Amnesty estimates that flaws in the Irish system are costing the economy €3bn every year.

'A Vision for Change' lays out a roadmap to modernise Ireland’s mental health service, shifting from one focused on hospital care to a comprehensive community based approach. Despite this promise of a change in culture, the HSE continues to disproportionately invest in institutional care over properly organised community care. One third of the national mental health budget is spent on long stay residential services and, as of the end of 2008, only one fifth of staff in the mental health services were working in community care teams.

The Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health, John Moloney, said that while a lot more work needed to be done, progress was being made. “Over the last 18 months, I’m pleased to say that some change for the better has occurred... the much talked about need for a Director to lead in Mental Health has been appointed and I’m very pleased that it is Martin Rove [...], someone with credibility.” 

Moloney also emphasised that tackling the stigma attached to mental health difficulties in Ireland would be the most significant advance made, and that such a change of sentiment was not wholly reliant on government, but on the general population. 

However, today Sinn Féin Health spokesperson and Cavan-Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin called on Minister Moloney to intervene to prevent what he described as “savage cuts to mental health services”. Deputy Ó Caoláin was referring to the HSE’s planned closure of the 12-bed Admissions Unit and the Day Centre for patients with mental illness at St. Davnet’s Psychiatric Hospital in Monaghan.

Ó Caoláin said that the closure of the day centre “would run totally contrary to Government policy as set out in A Vision for Change which encourages care in the community rather than institutionalisation. It would remove from people those vital supports that assist them to live normal lives in their communities”. 

The issue of mental health was given personal resonance at yesterdays conference by Caroline McGuigan, CEO of 'Suicide or Survive', who told of her own difficulties and achievements in relation to her mental health: "Now looking back at my experience in my present day I feel very frustrated but also somewhat encouraged because I believe that for the first time people [...] are starting to realise that mental illness is not something that happens to other people. It can affect any one of us."