The failure of the Coalition Government to provide for the care of citizens experiencing mental illness is a scandal. It is all the more terrible because the extent of the neglect visited upon persons with psychological ill-health has been carefully documented over many years by both national and international studies.
In spite of such reports, the percentage of medical funding devoted to this most neglected area of Irish health care actually declined in the late 1990s. The Government failed to live up to the obligations it accepted under a United Nations convention, which set out 'Principles for the Protection of Persons with Mental Illness'. These deficiencies are outlined in a damning report compiled by Amnesty International on the State's psychiatric services.
Failure by the Government to take the necessary remedial action reflects a broader reluctance within Irish society to confront and seek to understand the day-to-day realities of psychological ill-health. While one in four citizens will, at some stage of their lives, suffer from a psychological disability, there is a huge reluctance by the public to engage with the issue because of the social stigma attached. An extensive public health education programme would help to change such attitudes. But that will take time and, in the meantime, the structural inadequacies identified by Amnesty International must be addressed.
Rather than defend the indefensible, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Mr Tim O'Malley, noted Amnesty International had recognised that improvements had been made in the quality of care during the past 19 years. He promised to seek extra funding from the Government and he spoke of conducting yet another review of our mental health services later this year. It was a sad and inadequate response to a major administrative failure. But it is what we have come to expect, given that responsibility for psychological health care has been devolved to a junior minister.
Of all the defects listed in the Amnesty report, the shortage of accommodation to deal with prisoners at risk of committing suicide, who are suffering from serious depression or psychosis, is the most disturbing. The lack of facilities for adolescents suffering from mental health problems is a parallel failure. And this has a knock-on effect in the provision of care for younger children.
The Coalition Government and the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, are fully aware of what needs to be done. They should get on with the work.