Mental Health Reform today launched an eight week pre-budget campaign calling on the Government to “Do What Works” for mental health, by investing in measures that are known to be both effective and cost-effective for improving mental health.
Orla Barry, Director of Mental Health Reform, said: “We know what works for mental health. We need to have mental health services based in the community, with a range of multidisciplinary staff who offer a range of treatment options. People need easy access to mental health support through their GP and access to talking therapies. People with a mental health difficulty need support to get into and maintain employment and secure accommodation. These are things that work for people’s mental health”
“While we have had promises in the last two Budgets that the Government would invest €35million each year in community mental health services, the follow through on these promises has been frustratingly slow. We now need a firm commitment in Budget 2014 that the €35million promised in the Programme for Government will be delivered and spent in a timely manner in 2014”, Ms. Barry concluded.
The petition, which runs until Budget Day on 15th October 2013, can be accessed via www.mentalhealthreform.ie/petition2013 and will be sent to the Taoiseach, Minister for Finance, Minister for Health, Minister of State for Mental Health and Minister of State for Primary Care ahead of Budget Day.
