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.”
