Niamh O'Connor Boxing Legend Michael Carruth and European bronze medallist Eric Donovan are urging people to fight for mental health and stop further cuts to the mental health budget by signing Mental Health Reform’s online petition At the launch at Leinster House this morning, Olympic Gold medalist Carruth said: “This is your chance to let top politicians … Read more
Have a look at the pictures from the launch of our petition here!
We just got an email from Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, Brendan Howlin TD in response to our budget submission. Let us know what you think!
Together with PWDI we are holding a series of national meetings aimed to develop a shared understanding among citizens about good quality, community-based mental health services, and the role these play in promoting good mental health.
Read the Irish Examiner report on our and our member organisation Amnesty International Ireland’s submission here.
Read our submission to the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on proposed mental capacity legislation here.
Orla’s letter to the Editor in the Irish Examiner calls on the Government to preserve mental health staffing levels at Budget 2011 levels. “What we must get away from is the notion that we cannot afford to have good mental health services. We cannot afford to have poor mental health services: Mental health difficulties cost the Irish economy around 2%, (approx €2.5 billion), of GNP annually.”
Read Mental Health Reform Director Orla Barry’s piece for thejournal.ie on the use of seclusion in mental health services here.
Our newsletter is landing in inboxes at the moment. Have a look at it here and please let us know your thoughts in the comments! If you didn’t get it, please sign up to it now.
Mental Health Services are to get their own Directorate with executive and budgetary powers this autumn, Minister for Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch TD announced yesterday, committing to one of MHR’s key asks.