Patients refuse to tolerate under-funding and poor accountability in mental healthcare, a group of charities said today.
At a debate this evening, chairman of the Irish Mental Health Coalition (IMHC), John Saunders called on the next government to "take leadership to address underlying problems across mental health services."
He added, people who have experienced the inadequacies of mental health services are "becoming more vocal... they are succeeding in making mental health a burning issue for our policy makers. For the first time we can expect mental health to be an election issue. Every family in the country is affected by mental health problems, directly or indirectly."
TDs representing each political party attended the debate in the Mansion House.
Mr Saunders said that the National Mental Health Strategy, published in January 2006, had the right sign-posts for future mental health policy. However, he emphasised the need for the strategy to be delivered.
He said: "Since the publication of A Vision for Change, the actions that have been undertaken have been very limited.
"Unless progress is accelerated, the seven year timetable will become irrelevant very soon. This would seriously undermine our already under-resourced mental health services."
The Irish Mental Health Coalitionn is comprised of Amnesty International (Irish Section), Bodywhys (the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland), Grow in Ireland, the Irish Advocacy Network and Schizophrenia Ireland.
The Coalition was established last June following publication of the National Mental Health Strategy. They support and campaign for the right to a high standard of mental healthcare in Ireland.