Louth senator calls for urgent action on mental health crisis support

The need for a comprehensive mental health support system was raised by Louth senator Erin McGreehan in the Seanad yesterday.

Addressing Minister of State Mary Butler who was taking questions, the senator shared two distressing stories from her constituency.

In one case, a person had to fight strenuously to ensure her father received the care he needed, while another individual was turned away due to catchment area restrictions, tragically resulting in the loss of his life.

The senator detailed how: “One person had to fight tooth and nail to save her dad and convince doctors and psychologists that he warranted entry to a safe environment in order to get better. She begged to be heard and understood. She and her father were sent home with a list of ways to manage anxiety. 

“No medication or intervention was provided. They were told to go to the GP. It began a very difficult time at home and a fight to survive. The person in question had to stay with her dad because she was incredibly worried, and rightly so. They called for an ambulance within 24 hours. 

“A doctor told her that her father had wasted resources and that he did not warrant the ambulance. Imagine hearing that from a medical professional. Even if it was not life and death at that moment, who was he to judge and to make a person feel more vulnerable?”

The senator also raised a second case where a young father was sent away because he was not in the hospital's catchment area but was promised that the matter would be followed up in the correct area but this never happened. 

“Unfortunately and tragically, this young man took his own life, leaving a family in despair and a young child without a father. That in turn becomes a whole family trauma and leads to mental health difficulties,” she said.

The senator stressed the unpredictability of mental health crises, noting that individuals do not plan to get sick, and crises often arise unexpectedly.

"It is necessary to provide the necessary support and guidance to those individuals and families during these challenging times," she emphasised.

Senator McGreehan drew attention to what she said were inadequacies in the current system, pointing out the difficulties individuals and families face in finding help during a crisis. She called for increased support workers and trained professionals in hospitals to assist patients and their families effectively.

In response, Minister of State Mary Butler, said that the government had this year  launched the crisis resolution services model of care.

She said:  It represents a significant step forward in the provision of targeted mental health supports for people experiencing a crisis. It also fulfils a long-standing goal, aligning with a number of recommendations in Sharing the Vision, our national mental health policy.”

She continued: “Crisis resolution teams are community-based multidisciplinary teams that provide rapid assessment and intensive support to individuals who are in a mental health crisis, working rapidly and cooperatively to help people in a mental health crisis. “

She concluded by stating that she was happy to speak to the Senator about the two cases she raised to see if I can do anything to help.