Last Saturday was World Mental Health Day and we had a massive response to our events. Thanks so much to everyone for viewing, sharing and taking part throughout the day.
The theme of World Mental Health Day was ‘Mental Health for All – Greater Investment – Greater Access. Everyone, Everywhere’ and we asked people about their experience with accessing services since the beginning of the pandemic. Everyone who responded said they had accessed services in recent months but due to extremely long waiting lists, up to 18 months, each had paid for private appointments.
The cost of these appointments is very prohibitive, ranging from €60 per session to €300 for a psychiatric assessment. Those who got in touch mentioned gratitude towards family members being able to help but not everyone is in this situation leading to the need for greater access, everyone, everywhere.
Budget 2021 had a welcome announcement of an additional €38million to mental health for the development of new services, with an additional €12million to support existing services. Based off our public feedback, service users say they would like to see a compassionate approach which supports people with kindness, supports parents who have a child using mental health services, better access regardless of location and affordability. People are calling for real action, “not just another information campaign” and “something more than another offer of tea and sympathy”.
This is not news and we hope that real change is implemented. The funding allocation is a positive step forward and we hope this is the beginning of equal mental health for everyone.
Mental Health Reform is Ireland’s leading national coalition on mental health. With over 70 member organisations including A Lust for Life, they work together to drive progressive reform of mental health services and supports in Ireland. If you want to learn more, you can visit their website. You too can make positive change happen for mental health services and supports in Ireland. Call on your TDs to do more for mental health! Sign up to the Mental Health Reform newsletter and follows them on Twitter to see how you can get involved in their mental health campaigns!
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We rely on the generosity of the public to fund our work and so far together we have achieved great things! Please do continue to support us so we can provide future generations in Ireland with the resources to recognise and talk about their emotions, and equip them to navigate the ever-changing world around them as they grow
