We need another election.
Why? Maybe because only 40% of our country’s TDs put mental health as a priority yesterday. At one stage, only ten were present in the chamber to hear statements, one TD for each suicide in Ireland this week alone. One TD for each life tragically lost because someone from our “great” country lost hope and couldn’t get the help they needed to feel like they had a life worth living. One TD for each person that should have lived and couldn’t escape the dark.
Mental health is not a joke and our government shouldn’t take such a weak approach to the subject. The #IAmAReason hashtag shows that on its own. Go onto Twitter right at this moment and you’ll see thousands of Irish people who feel let down by their government sharing their fears and feelings.
One could easily jump the gun and praise the TDs that did attend the talks, but why should we praise TDs for doing their job just because others haven’t?
One in five people experience depression in their lifetime. That’s no joke, Enda.
Ireland has a serious problem with self-harm and suicide, something that is increasing because of the lack of mental health services available to sufferers. Suicidal behaviour often occurs when there has been little or no contact with mental health services. A HSE report on mental health and awareness clearly states that “the suicide problem in Ireland must be addressed at a number of fundamental and basic levels across the whole of Irish society – not only to encourage people to get support if they are experiencing a crisis but also to encourage a primary level of prevention whereby people become better able to deal with difficulties in their own lives and in the lives of those around them.”
If this is in a HSE report, then why isn’t it being implemented? Why have the government failed us by failing to turn up and provide the ultimate blanket of support to those suffering with mental health issues across the country, yet it’s a full house when the issue of Dáil bar opening hours comes up? This does not make sense.
Even worse, €12 million is now being taken from mental health resources to be implemented in other areas of the health service.
Just two years ago in 2014, 65% of Irish people surveyed by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services said that they believed being treated for a mental health problem was a sign of failure. This is not the case; it is a sign of strength and should be viewed as such. The real failure is that even our own government does not care enough to try and break this stigma, but rather reinforces it by failing to turn up in numbers. Unacceptable.
Around 30% of Irish people go to the GP purely for issues surrounding their mental health. The numbers are all here, yet it’s still not important enough?
From the age of 11 to the age of 19 I was involved in youth politics at Comhairle na nÓg and Dáil na nÓg. Every year one of the main focuses would be on mental health. Every year we wouldn’t be heard in our pleas for better services in schools… This ignorance of what the people need with regard to mental health services has grown as I have grown up. We are not listened to.
Last night a majority of TDs swanned in and out saying their pieces on mental health before leaving. This is a debate and should be talked about properly, not treated like something we can take and leave as it suits.
On a personal note, I’ve been lucky enough to come through to the other side and ditch the tablets thanks to amazing support from close family and friends. I’ve managed to focus on life with an air of positivity again, even if it took some time to get through the rough patches. Some people don’t get the support I had- ultimately from friends and family as the health service was no good for me. Everyone deserves to feel like life is great because it should be for everyone. Nobody deserves to feel like they should just disappear- our government should be standing up for the lives of everyone in this country, because any of us could feel like this at any moment.
Nobody deserves to go to a doctor like I did and be told “sure you’re on medication anyway just increase it, it doesn’t make a difference to you”, when you say you’re feeling down (and ultimately have to ditch it on your own instead). Support services need to be there. Support services need to be available and ready when we need them.
In colleges alone, one counsellor may be responsible for thousands of students. Can’t afford a counsellor outside of that? Here’s a long waiting list; sure your problems can wait- you’ll be grand. Nobody deserves to feel like they don’t matter.
Physical health is important but mental health is equally as important too.
The government have let down every single Irish person in these talks thus far. Water charges are more important to our government than the mental health and wellbeing- potentially the lives- of Irish citizens all over the country.
Never give up on you, because you are better at being you than anyone else ever could be and you could never be replaced. You matter.
We need another vote. We need to know our heads are in safe hands.