The motion on 24/7 Mental Health Care reflected a most urgent need and immediate concern. It was a very focused and considered motion. The motion was a first step in addressing the lack of investment in our Mental Health services. The vote on Thursday allowed Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and those independents who are supporting the government  an opportunity to take that first step and vote for a motion that went beyond generalised commitments and aspirations. I was very dissapointed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and those independents who supported the governments’s amendment by voting for or abstaining on the Sinn Féin’s Private members motion on 24/7 crisis intervention services. By doing so FF, FG failed those people who most need these services. They have failed the groups and organisations who have campaigned for these services as well. We need action now not words.

Speaking on Sinn Fein’s 24/7 care motion which calls for is the provision of a 24 hours, 7 day a week crisis intervention services mental health, Dessie Ellis TD called on the people to talk about mental health.

The Dublin North West TD said:

“The stigma of someone with mental health issues needs to be tackled and the message needs to go out that help is available to talk to someone, a friend, family members, a service provider or a helpline. People shouldn’t bottle it up. ’It’s Okay not to feel Okay’; that is the message.

“The staff are doing Trojan work, often and on their own time and money.  But understaffing puts the whole system under pressure. It is imperative that service levels are increased and more nurses and professionals are sought.

“Access and availability of services locally and in our communities need to be resourced properly but for voluntary groups and individuals I shudder to think how bad things could get. I commend all those who give time, energy and commitment. There is a huge deficit in our system whereby at weekends or after hours, services are not available. This motion will go a long way to address that deficit.”