Government must act as recession drives demand for mental health services
Government must act as recession drives demand for mental health services
1st April 2009
The decision by the British Government to invest £175 million sterling into
mental health services to help them cope with increased demand caused by
the recession should be an example followed by the Irish Government, the
Irish Mental Health Coalition (IMHC) said today. Ahead of next week’s
budget the IMHC called on the Government to invest in mental health
services as part of its response to the economic and social difficulties
facing the country.
Chairperson of the IMHC John Saunders said: “Our under-resourced mental
health services are at the front line of responding to the emerging
personal and social crises facing many individuals and families. Job
insecurity, debt and rising unemployment are all factors that can impact
upon mental well-being.
“Mental health services have reported increased pressure since the middle
of last year and the need is growing. The demand for Console's counselling
services has risen by 20% nationwide in the last 12 months, while the
latest figures from the Samaritans show that 1 in 10 of their calls is
related to the financial crisis. There is a proven link between times of
economic hardship and increased demand on mental health service. Services
are already desperately in need of reform and a failure to act will have
long-term consequences.”
The British Health Minister Alan Johnson has responded directly related to
the growing numbers of people ‘affected psychologically by the recession’
by accelerating investment in mental health services, increasing staffing
levels and opening a network of centres offering therapy services.
The impact of the global economic difficulties has been recognised by
Secretary General of the World Health Organisation who said “it is
essential… to learn from past mistakes and counter this period of economic
downturn by increasing investment in health and the social sector.”
Now more than ever funds expended on mental health services must be
monitored by the HSE and the Department of Health and Children, and this
information made available to the public. The Government must ensure that
there is transparency and accountability and allocated budgets are spent
effectively.
The recent Mental Health Commission report, The Economics of Mental Health
Care in Ireland, estimates that the annual overall cost of poor mental
health in Ireland is €3 billion, or 2 per cent of GNP. It sets out the
compelling economic case for increased investment in mental health services
– it says, “policy makers cannot afford not to invest in mental health”.
“Investment in community mental health services results in lower rates of
hospital admission,” Mr Saunders pointed out.
“The HSE must not ‘rob peter to pay paul’ – overall staffing levels in
mental health services must be maintained. The HSE must be able to recruit
new and essential community based staff and this should not be affected by
any recruitment embargo in order for the Government to have any chance of
delivering on its mental health policy.
“The Government failed to adequately fund mental health services in times
of economic prosperity. It cannot now neglect these services again when
they are needed most. Given the scale of the recession impact upon society,
we are likely to see further demand on mental health services. The
Government must now invest in mental health in response to the economic and
social crisis facing the country.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Mr. John Saunders, Chair, Irish Mental Health Coalition: 087 927 1292
Ms Caroline McGrath, Director, Irish Mental Health Coalition: 086 825 6792