There is public outcry today as there are reports circulating that the Department of Health and the HSE are planning to introduce cuts to the mental health services.
The appalling news has sparked widespread upset as many have now signed a petition to halt the proposed cuts. According to reports the HSE are now planning to take €12m of the original €35m budget it had for mental health services and use it elsewhere.
The news of the proposed cuts has angered Shari McDaid of Mental Health Reform who told The Irish Times: “We know there’s huge demand for mental health services, and so it is really a serious concern. “There’s a huge pressure on the mental health services. We know that about 1 in 4 people will have a mental health difficulty in their lifetime. It’s just not going to be able to meet that demand if the services just aren’t given the secure funding.”
Meanwhile Neil Bresslan ‘Bressie’ has said he hopes the HSE will reverse their position and issue the funding that is seriously needed.