The government has been accused of failing people with mental health issues following a report released by the Mental Health Commission today.
The Mental Health Commission has offered a damning indictment of mental healthcare services in Ireland in a report published on Thursday morning.
The report, titled Rehabilitation And Recovery Mental Health Services In Ireland, notes that provision of mental healthcare for those in recovery falls well short of the recommendations laid out in the Vision For Change strategy document published by the HSE in 2006.
Donegal TD, Pat the Cope Gallagher said the report showed a gross lack of funding and neglect by the current government.
He said: “This follows on from the last four years when the mental health budget was either left unspent or funds transferred from it to other budget headings.
“It is plain and simple this Government is not giving the appropriate level of support to mental health services,” added Pat the Cope.
“People with severe and enduring mental illness are some of the most vulnerable in our community. Rehabilitation provides them with an opportunity to recover and regain a quality of life.
“The Mental Health Commission’s report makes it clear that this opportunity is being lost and that the state is guilty of long-term neglect of people in need of services.
“When the failure to provide basic services as highlighted in this report is matched with the withholding of €25 million in mental health funding it paints a picture of fundamental delinquency in our health services, it also shows clearly that the government are giving the adequate support levels to mental health in this country.
“There is a clear failure of political will to ensure policy implementation and oversight,” stated Pat the Cope.
“The HSE is accountable to the Minister for Health – he needs to instruct the HSE to put in place an action plan to implement mental health policy.
“The current situation is completely unacceptable, and the Minister must take responsibility.
“But, more importantly mental health service needs to get the attention and support they deserve and urgently need,” concluded Pat the Cope.
Tags:
