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Survey: Majority of TDs believe funds for community mental health services should be 'ringfenced'

As World Mental Health Day is marked, the importance of services being retained in the upcoming Budget has been underlined.

THE MAJORITY OF Dáil members believe that the provision and funding of mental health services should be made a priority over the next three years, according to a new survey from Millward Brown Lansdowne.

Today marks World Mental Health Day, which aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and help to fight the stigma relating to depression.

The survey shows the majority of TDs believe that delivering community mental health services (63 per cent) and increasing funding (59 per cent) should be “top priorities” if the country is serious about improving mental health services over the next three years.

The survey contains responses from nearly half of Dáil members (71 out of 166) and reveals that 56 per cent of politicians surveyed see the topic of mental health raised ‘very often’ or ‘frequently’ within their constituency clinics – a significant increase from the 27 per cent reported last year.

The emphasis on improving mental health services is also reflected in a nationally representative survey run at a similar time, which found that more than two-thirds of the public (68 per cent) believe that the importance of mental health services needs to be focused upon over the next three years.

Deputy Simon Harris, one of co-convenors of the the Oireachtas Cross Party Group on Mental Health, said there is “a clear appetite” for improvement in our mental health services from politicians, regardless of their political affiliation. “We owe it to our constituents to ensure we don’t forget how crucial this issue for everyone, even among all the difficult budget decisions that will be made this Dáil term,” he said.

The survey, commissioned by the One Foundation, also revealed:

Political view

  • The provision of mental health community services (61 per cent) and budget increases (59 per cent) are seen as top priorities
  • A large majority of the 71 TDs interviewed (83 per cent) believe money for community mental health services must be ringfenced
  • Nearly four in five support a legal obligation for government to deliver mental health services within the community
  • The vast majority (87 per cent) agree teachers should receive training on mental health, with 86 per cent agreeing mental health should be on the curriculum

Public views

  • Two-thirds (66 per cent) believe cuts in health spending have hit mental health services more than other areas of the health spend
  • The majority (85 per cent) agree that the state needs to prioritise mental health by increasing its budget over the next three years
  • More than nine in 10 (92 per cent) believe awareness and understanding of mental health issues should be part of the curriculum in Irish secondary schools
  • There is a strong consensus that teachers should receive training to recognise and respond to mental health issues among students (in primary school 82 per cent agree, and in secondary schools this jumps up to 93 per cent)

Meanwhile, a senior psychologist has spoken out about the need to pay particular attention to young people’s mental health.

Dr Michele Coyle, a senior clinical psychologist at Saint John of God Hospital Stillorgan in Dublin, says  the symptoms of depression in young people can vary. She said that while many adolescents display low mood similar to adults who are depressed, adolescent depression may also be masked by anger and acting out behaviours.

Signs can include:

  • Continuous feelings of sadness, and/or angry outbursts
  • Persistent thoughts of hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt
  • Social withdrawal and isolation
  • Difficulty experiencing pleasure or enjoyment
  • Increased sensitivity to rejection
  • Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
  • Increased periods of tearfulness
  • Difficulty concentrating, fatigue and low energy
  • Physical complaints, such as stomach aches, headaches that do not respond to treatment
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Coyle recommends the following advice for helping young people who are depressed:

  • Validate feelings: acknowledge the pain and sadness they are feeling
  • Offer support: let depressed teenagers know that you’re there for them and that they are not alone in their feelings – hold back from asking a lot of questions, but make it clear that you’re ready and willing to provide whatever support they need
  • Listen without lecturing: resist any urge to criticise once they begin to talk; the important thing is that they are communicating – avoid offering unsolicited advice or ultimatums
  • Be gentle but persistent: don’t give up if your adolescent shuts you out at first – be respectful, while still emphasising your concern and willingness to listen
  • Seek professional help: depression is very damaging when left untreated; if you see depression’s warning signs, seek professional help

For information or support on mental health and suicide, contact the following organisations:

  • Samaritans 1850 60 90 900 or email jo@samaritans.org
  • Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634
  • Console 1800 201 890
  • Aware 1890 303 302
  • Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie

Read: World Mental Health Week marked with opening of €300,000 facility>

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15 Comments
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    Mute Councillor Bill Clear
    Favourite Councillor Bill Clear
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    Oct 7th 2019, 8:22 AM

    Looks like he will have to write that letter at end of week.
    Simple solution boris, border in irish sea n ire in customs union. Dont listen to dup they do not represent north ireland.

    75
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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Oct 7th 2019, 8:36 AM

    @Councillor Bill Clear: How is that a simple solution to get a deal ? Government would lose DUP support. Labour have no intention of voting for any deal negotiated by the current government. Lib-dems and the SNP do not want Brexit so will not back a deal. Your ‘simple solution’ has zero chance of getting through parliament.

    15
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    Mute ktsiwot
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    Oct 7th 2019, 8:45 AM

    @Tommy Roche: DUP numbers no longer hold the balance of power after the Tory rebel revolt.
    They no longer serve any purpose.

    35
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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Oct 7th 2019, 9:14 AM

    @ktsiwot: I do realise that. But if Johnson could convince the rebels to come back on side with a new deal, he would need DUP support. He won’t get it if it includes a border down the Irish sea.

    1
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    Mute Cowboy Paddy
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    Oct 7th 2019, 12:34 PM

    @Councillor Bill Clear:
    Sorry Bill, If that happened then Scotland would ask for the same deal, then London, Wales might like that too…

    This was floated before and that was the response…

    1
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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Oct 7th 2019, 7:11 AM

    Now the ball is in Corbyn’s Court. He’ll actually have to get off the fence and come up with a meaningful reason for the EU to grant an extension. If he won’t commit to a general election and/or second referendum then any extension refusal is on his head.

    62
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    Mute Tony Moore
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    Oct 7th 2019, 7:26 AM

    @Dara O’Brien: Corbyn is a clown , only fit to run the Irish health service .

    66
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    Mute Trevor J Coonan
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    Oct 7th 2019, 9:11 AM

    @Dara O’Brien:
    Yeah he’s the WORST PM in recent memory. Oh wait…

    16
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    Mute Dave.
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    Oct 7th 2019, 7:54 AM

    Seems like the Penny has finally dropped with Johnson on how much of a mess this is going to be. It’s now down to a finger pointing exercise.

    28
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    Mute Simon Connolly
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    Oct 7th 2019, 8:38 AM

    @Dave.: Did you read the article at all?? The penny certainly hasn’t dropped, in fact it seems to lodged in an unreachable orophus!! Boris and his buddies genuinely believe they have made huge compromises in his proposal. He has no understanding of the significance of the backstop and its role in protecting the GFA..but the worst of it all is he and many others don’t give a toss about the border issue!!

    33
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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Oct 7th 2019, 9:11 AM

    @Simon Connolly: Boris didn’t need penny to drop- he’s been planning a no deal brexit all along. He has ( or at least that snake Cummings)some underhanded plot, such as getting Hungary to veto the extension, so he can satisfy the Benn act, and achieve Brexit as well
    It’s all pure arseholery

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    Mute Cowboy Paddy
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    Oct 7th 2019, 12:36 PM

    @Dave Harris:
    If Hungry go there the backlash on them would be bad… They would be on the naughty step for years(maybe decades) for what?

    3
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    Mute Cian
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    Oct 7th 2019, 3:07 PM

    @Dave Harris: What would be in it for Hungary?

    1
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    Mute Dave.
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    Oct 7th 2019, 8:49 AM

    Yes Simon, I have, in summary, Boris is saying we have done our part, EU need to do the same, finger pointing for when this lands on the UK, he can cover his own back, by saying well we done our part, it’s the EUs fault. Actually would expect less from him in fairness.

    10
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    Mute Teresa
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    Oct 7th 2019, 11:06 AM

    the lobbying by big business in Europe is hardly ever discussed in the media I venture to guess that it is now at a very high level of intensity with volumes and profits shrinking for most if not all eu-wide companies. Be sure they want a deal. Macron, Barnier and other un-elected beaurocrats, Vardaker it’s time to make a deal the delay tactics in the hope of another outcome down the road is sinking every economy including ours into a deeper abyss.

    4
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    Mute Cowboy Paddy
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    Oct 7th 2019, 12:44 PM

    @Teresa:
    You really don’t know how Europe works…

    Europe look at this as an opportunity as well as a crisis… Europe can show how it looks after a small nation like Ireland and show our strength in our unity. The UK has shown us how bad leaving the EU is, Italy were on the fence on leaving are now firmly in the stay camp… Actually this whole thing could have created a stronger Europe…

    10
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    Mute Mary Ward
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    Oct 7th 2019, 7:01 PM

    @Teresa: Absolutely spot on and it the public funds .. small industy want state aid.

    TD will be asked to vote on these estimate .

    Minister wont be able to touch fund withot TD Votes

    It is TD duty to allocat spending out of public purse.
    It is their duty to know how much there is to spend but

    1 as far as min for finance concerned 44 billion owed to eu but minister do not make law . that is sole job of oireachtas.
    and
    2 TD pass legislation giving Minister for Finance key to pension funds to take up to EIGHT BILLION to pay for ‘mitigation of exceptional circumstances ‘

    The public defcit is now in excess of the threshold under the fiscal compact treaty ( it would not be if Dail had min lay the deal made by B Leniahns laid befoe the Dail ) and EU Commission can tell govt u reduce the deficit ( why he is not borrowing) of accept B J Deal .

    How can TD vote on estimate if dail has no control over what is in the fund to spend and the Dail has not cos TD have done what minister say rather than having govt account to the Dail and we are paying .

    As a result the deficit is in excess of 60 per cent threshold under fiscal compact treaty ( it would not be if Dail TD had Minister lay that deal made by B Lenihan before the Dail ).

    Minister need TD vote to take money out of public fund and seem to me that TD can tell Min they will vote but in return min must lay the deal before the dail and redcue deficit until terms agreed and leg on statute books . Cos otherwsie u may see a lot more money coming out of them pension funds for god know what if UK leaves and no deal .

    .

    1
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    Mute Willy Mc Bride
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    Oct 7th 2019, 9:26 AM

    The Auld Macron , Merkel bus is a coming..

    6
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    Mute Stephen Devlin
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    Oct 7th 2019, 9:56 AM

    @Willy Mc Bride: Yep, Boris is for it.

    9
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    Mute Willy Mc Bride
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    Oct 7th 2019, 10:10 AM

    @Stephen Devlin: Hope your right. But form suggests we are for it…

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    Mute Shougeki
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    Oct 7th 2019, 10:58 AM

    @Willy Mc Bride: You have been saying this constantly with no evidence. If they try to make a deal that doesnt suit Ireland we can veto it. To do otherwise would be political suicide.
    Not to mention the fact if they throw Oreland under the bus, other countries may get itchy feet

    8
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    Mute WoodlandBard
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    Oct 7th 2019, 9:24 AM

    Boris is both a Genius and Lazy. He is really a Civil Service manager rather than minister. It seems his continuous policy is to set up complicated maze like plots to give the impression he is doing something. He knows they will fall apart so he can sit on his arse, point fingers at everyone, blame everyone, while he drinks more wine and paints buses on their empty wooden containers.

    8
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    Mute classic
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    Oct 7th 2019, 11:00 AM

    Does paddy have any say in this at all

    3
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    Mute Robert Preston
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    Oct 7th 2019, 6:46 PM

    @classic: Thats down to the EU Do as your told by Angela and Macron .

    1
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    Mute Mary Ward
    Favourite Mary Ward
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    Oct 7th 2019, 7:22 PM

    @classic: Spot on and u can blame our TD one hundred per cent .

    Attached article from the sun about boris offer to pay ireland brexit costs .

    A golden opportunity for ireland to seek ammend to good friday agreemet in retr for consent to removal of backstop.

    My question why was not this debated in the DAIL .
    Why dd not leo varadker bring this proposal to the Dail for Dail instruction with ireland price ?

    Instead L Varadker n his cycling tour in denmark said we will be happy to see UK apply for an extensions. Johnston say take deal or we are out to the EU.

    Ireland is the real torn .

    The Commission refused to enter into negotiation with the UK over the weekend and I suspect the message was to the UK try to come to an arrangement with Irland . The Dail closed .

    If uk leaves as far as commission concerned ireland is responsible for the cost and Minister has taken 1. 5 billion euro out of the pensions fund with enabling legislation vote on by TDs.

    The country is in deficit over the fiscal compact treaty threshold as a DEBTOR AND if the UK does a lot mroe money coming out of the pension fund for them cost.

    But that deficit of 64.8 per cent include money 44 billion owed to eu under the IMF/EU bailout but that deal was made by a minister only and minister do not make law and cannot make law without dail and oireachtas .. the DAIL TD by failing to have min lay that deal before the Dail and no control ovre what is in the public fund for spending are voint on estimates .. and min with ther vote on the leg can now take pension fund to pay for brexit cos think pee reall nee to go to theIr TD ?

    1 Why is that deal by lenihan not laid before dail to reduce that deficit by 85 billion

    AND

    2 Why was not that ofeer by johnston not in Dail

    AND

    3 How can TD vote on estimates and min has to have TD VOtes otheriwse he canot touc the money if Dail not n control of what is in kitty ?

    And TD have consistent abrogated form ther duty to be in contro of the fund staring with not having that deal laid beofre the dial .

    REGARD gds

    MW

    1
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    Mute WoodlandBard
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    Oct 7th 2019, 9:14 AM

    It does seem BoJo has has done quite a de Pfeffel, his middle name, and I think I am starting to understand what it means.

    2
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    Mute John Walsh
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    Oct 7th 2019, 12:03 PM

    He might act like the buffoon but he’s definitely no fool, one can only assume there’s larger forces at play and the people of the UK and Ireland are mere cannon fodder.

    3
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    Mute Mary Ward
    Favourite Mary Ward
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    Oct 7th 2019, 7:25 PM
    1
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