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25th September 2024
03:18pm BST
Mental health organisations have called on Taoiseach Simon Harris to invest more vital funds in mental health services.
Over 60 leaders in the voluntary and community sector have called on the Taoiseach to increase funding for mental health services.
They believe a substantial part of the upcoming Budget should be allocated to mental health services.
The chief executives of Pieta, Jigsaw, Barnardos, Alone, Bodywhys, Shine, and St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services all signed the letter.
The letter was published by Mental Health Reform and its member organisations and allies.
They believe an additional €120M should be invested to address severe deficits in the mental health system.
Speaking about the funding, Philip Watt, Interim CEO of Mental Health Reform said: "For years, Mental Health Reform has called for appropriate funding for mental health services. Over the past decade, the percentage of the health budget allocated to mental health has never surpassed 6%.
"The Government has perpetually failed to meet its commitment in Sláintecare to increase mental health funding to 10% of the health budget. In stark contrast, the UK is spending over 14% of its health budget on mental health," he added.
"Persistent underfunding is having a long-term impact on the mental health system," Watt confirmed.
"Ireland ranks highest in Europe for difficulty accessing mental health services. People face long delays for treatment, inconsistent standards of care, and severe staffing shortages. Children and families in particular are unable to access appropriate or timely intervention," he continued.
The knock-on effect this lack of funding is having is beyond concerning, but Simon Harris can make a change by ensuring more money is allocated for desperately needed services.
The least Simon Harris and the Government can do is give the public a stronger mental health care system.
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