Psychological well being providers want further €80m to deal with Covid-19 pressures

The mental health reform bill before the 2021 budget calls for additional funding for mental health services

Fiona Coyle, CEO of Mental Health Reform (MHR)

The government needs to invest an additional € 80 million in Irish mental health services to help the system cope with increasing treatment needs as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The request for more funds was made by the Mental Health Reform (MHR), a coalition that represents 75 organizations in the municipal and voluntary sector, in their submission to the 2021 budget.

MHR said its members reported that thousands of people were seeking mental health support during the pandemic and that there was an urgent need for capacity expansion across the sector as a result.

Specialized mental health services, such as the children's and adolescent mental health services, had also seen a significant increase in referrals since the outbreak began, the charity added.

MHR executive director Fiona Coyle said part of the problem is that successive governments are failing to allocate adequate resources to Ireland's mental health services.

"Even before the pandemic, thousands of people were struggling to get the basic mental health services they need, when they need them," noted Coyle.

"The Health Service Executive said the effects of Covid-19 have resulted in a significant increase in the number of referrals to mental health services as people across the country begin to feel the effects of isolation, loneliness and fear this pandemic is causing," she continued.

"Ireland's mental health services need to be prioritized and placed at the center of Covid-19 recovery planning," she said.

Coyle added that thousands of adults and children across Ireland would not have timely access to treatment without significant investment.

"This could put Ireland on the path to a major public mental health crisis as warned by both the United Nations and the World Health Organization," she said.

Regarding the 10-year mental health strategy, Sharing the Vision, presented by the government in June, Coyle added, “This strategy provides a strong roadmap to support our services during this difficult time, but it requires significant investment to if that's the case get the good start it takes. "

valerie.ryan@imt.ie