The slow pace of the implementation of a Government plan to improve mental health services has been acknowledged by Minister for Health Mary Harney.
Speaking yesterday, Ms Harney said she had to express disappointment at "the slow pace" at which change was taking place since the publication in January 2006 of A Vision for Change, a report that detailed the improvements required in this area.
She said she wanted to meet the Health Service Executive (HSE) to ensure they were taking steps to implement the plan as quickly as possible.Ms Harney was addressing a conference marking the 150th anniversary of St Vincent's hospital in Fairview, Dublin. Dr Martin O'Sullivan, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Dublin's Mater hospital and St Vincent's hospital, Fairview, told delegates adolescent mental health services were still in a "pitiable" state.
He said the shortage of inpatient beds for this age group with mental health problems was "scandalous". A Vision for Change said there was a need to increase from 20 to 100 the number of inpatient beds.
Dr O'Sullivan said this group was under the most pressure and "they are showing signs of distress in their behaviour and I think certainly the suicide rate particularly among males is an indicator of high stress levels among that group". He said society had to get to grips with it by strengthening communities.