Sir,
Time is running out for this Government to honour its commitment on mental health supports in Ireland.
Once again this year, Mental Health Reform has heard from people with mental health difficulties and their family members about the gaps in mental health services. People are continuing to struggle to get crisis support out of hours.
Service availability is patchy across the country, with some offering home treatment and others not, and some having lengthy waiting lists for psychological and other therapies.
We are calling for at least €35 million in Budget 2016 toward improvement of comprehensive, community-based mental health services.
Despite some recent investment and developments, mental health funding still falls far short of what is needed. Staffing in May of this year was still 22 per cent below recommended levels and services are struggling to cope with staff shortages.
Yours, etc,
SHARI McDAID,
Director;
