THE ECONOMIC downturn has led to increased calls to helplines for people with mental health problems, it was said yesterday.
John Saunders, director of Schizophrenia Ireland, which was formally renamed Shine yesterday, said his organisation’s helpline (1890 621-631) had noticed the increase, as had voluntary bodies such as The Samaritans and Aware.
He expressed “major concerns” about the impact of Government cuts on the mental health sector.
“In times of economic downturn we know that people who have mental health problems need more support.
“Suicide rates go up. Admission rates to hospitals go up. Alcohol abuse and drug abuse goes up. And we are already seeing increased calls to helplines by people who are finding things difficult economically and socially.
“In fact we feel that mental health services should be treated almost as an emergency service and certainly should be protected from any significant cuts.”
His organisation, which receives funds from the HSE, has already had its core funding cut by 10 per cent.
Mr Saunders was speaking at the formal relaunch of Schizophrenia Ireland as Shine – supporting people affected by mental ill-health.
Mr Saunders said the new name reflected “a positive, inclusive and non-stigmatising image”.
The organisation was set up in 1975 as the Schizophrenia Association of Ireland, which later changed to Schizophrenia Ireland. It works with people with schizophrenia, psychosis and related conditions, and offers support to their families.
The name Shine was chosen after 110 names were suggested by Schizophrenia Ireland members and others during a lengthy consultation.
Mr Saunders said it was time the organisation refreshed its public image. It was working with people with many different conditions of mental ill-health, and the change in name reflected this.
“Whatever label you are given by a consultant psychiatrist, to some extent, is not the main issue. The main issue is what can we do to help you move on with your life, to make the progress, make the journey on recovery, to take charge of your own life, to have some input on what goes on with your own life and, hopefully, to regain authority of life thereafter.”
While the name had changed, he said the “day-to-day business, what we do best, remains the same, and we’ll hopefully improve on that over time”.
“My own hope is that people will look at us and see that we have a wider appeal, and that people don’t necessarily have to look to their diagnosis to decide whether or not we can help them.”
The organisation’s new website can be accessed at www.shineonline.ie. It has also opened Bebo and Facebook pages to appeal to younger people.
