Amnesty: Mental health needs the whole of Government to act

The Government must adopt a coordinated approach if it is serious about improving its track record on mental health, according to a report launched today (24/02/10) by Amnesty International Ireland. The Missing Link: coordinated Government action on mental health was launched by Minister for Mental Health and Disability John Moloney TD at a press conference this morning.

Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland said: “If the Government really wants to reduce the reliance on inpatient mental health care it must recognise the crucial role departments outside health must play.
“In addition to fully comprehensive community mental health services, other basic supports are needed so that people with mental health problems can lead full lives.
“Being able to get work, to continue studying and keep a home are recognised aids to recovery for people with mental health problems. Access to these basic human rights can even mean the difference between needing acute inpatient care or not.
“The Missing Link explains clearly why departments including Social and Family Affairs, Education and Science, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Environment, Heritage, and Local Government, must act on mental health. It also offers workable solutions that are easily achievable even in this difficult financial climate.

“This report has its basis in real lives – we have made these recommendations because we have been told by people who have direct experience that the mental health services are only a small part of the solution.

“There are very real barriers stopping people with mental health problems being able to live a full life in their communities, and these must be broken down. The failure of Government departments to act is causing unnecessary additional pain and hardship to those in crisis.”

Mr O’Gorman added: “In the current economic climate it is even more important to act urgently. On a human level, increased pressures and stresses are leading to increasing mental health problems. In addition, the lack of coordinated action is financially irresponsible.

“The Government’s mental health policy, A Vision for Change, was published in 2006 and set out clear recommendations for a number of key departments, yet there has been little progress. Departments must take this policy seriously and get on with its implementation.”

International good practice guidance makes clear that mental health should be an interdepartmental concern. The World Health Organisation has stated that an effective approach to mental health requires the involvement of the education, employment, housing and social services sectors, as well as the criminal justice system.

The Missing Link makes specific recommendations for key Government departments, but also includes some overall recommendations, that the Government must:
- commit to prioritising mental health and ensure that all departments implement A Vision for Change;
- ensure that the sectoral plans under the National Disability Strategy have a specific mental health focus;
- ensure regular coordination across all relevant departments under the leadership of the Office for Disability and Mental Health.

Mr O’Gorman added: “Separately, these actions can make a real difference to the lives of people who have experienced a mental health problem. But implemented together, they could help to ensure that people experiencing mental health problems can participate as full members of Irish society and help Ireland keep its promise to its citizens to recognise their right to the highest possible standard of mental health.

“People with mental health problems want more than to recover their health; they want to recover their lives.”