Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Sunday 17°CMonday 18°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
HealthNewsPolitics

Blocks to mental health supports must be cleared – Pringle

written by Staff Writer June 9, 2021
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Independent TD for Donegal Thomas Pringle has called for mental health services to be made available to anyone seeking them.

Over the course of the pandemic some counselling sessions have been cancelled or moved online. During statements in the Dáil on mental health during and post-Covid-19, Deputy Pringle said there are barriers to people seeking urgent support.

Deputy Pringle said: “Online counselling might be great if you are privileged enough to have access to the internet and a private space to talk at home. What about the people who don’t have somewhere to go? They don’t have a laptop or a room in which to speak freely. Yes, there is a free and confidential text number (50808) which is a welcome addition to mental health services, but are we looking at that data for that number? How many texts are coming in? Is there follow-up for the people contacting the text line? What if that person needs to be referred on to further services?

“The country went from ‘we’re all in this together’ to finger-wagging and curtain twitching; pushing blame on each other instead of looking back at the failures of the State. Failures to implement affordable, timely and non-judgemental supports, accessible to all who needs them – in times of crisis and in times of building resilience,” he said.

Deputy Pringle welcomed the Tánaiste’s confirmation that GPs can issue emergency medical cards in extreme circumstances when the deputy raised the issue with Tánaiste in the Dáil last week, and asked whether there needed to be a communications campaign around that.

Deputy Pringle said: “You have to have a medical card to access free counselling. Since the cyberattack, people have been unable to apply for medical cards.” He said his office has been in contact with the Primary Care Reimbursement Service regularly since the cyberattack for updates.

The deputy said: “This is going to create a huge backlog for the service, system and people in need of urgent care.”

Deputy Pringle said: “I know GPs are overworked but we have to ensure blockages in the process are cleared.”

 

Blocks to mental health supports must be cleared – Pringle was last modified: June 9th, 2021 by Staff Writer
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint
Staff Writer

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Fine weather to return next week as...

3 hours ago

Seamus Coleman pays respects to Diogo Jota...

5 hours ago

Glenswilly GAA hosting Clubhouse Beats teen disco...

5 hours ago

Ghost is Donegal’s dog in the 2025...

6 hours ago

€1,000 college fees hike a “suckerpunch” for...

7 hours ago

Charles Ward opens first 100% Redress Party...

10 hours ago

Falcarragh Summer Cup launch new memorial cup...

11 hours ago

Letterkenny drug-driver put off the road

11 hours ago

Alert: Windyhall road in Letterkenny to be...

12 hours ago

Pvt Sean Rooney’s inquest hears Defence Forces...

12 hours ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.