‘Mental Health issues need to be talked about’ – Mulgrew
Newry Mourne & Down Sinn Féin Councillor Roisin Mulgrew has said that mental health issues need to be talked about and heard.
She was speaking after attending a conference focusing on the issue of dual diagnosis.
The Slieve Gullion Councillor stated, “This was an informative conference attended by many with an interest in mental health, suicide awareness and addiction. It is abundantly clear that people want to talk about and be heard on the issue of mental health.
“The harrowing stories we have heard time and time again across the country illustrate some harsh realities for those with mental health issues – such as the glaring lack of 24/7 crisis intervention services.”
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Echoing her colleague’s sentiments, Newry City Councillor Valerie Harte, who also attended the Conference in County Louth, commented, “There is growing awareness of this issue and the large attendance at this conference reflected this reality.”
Newry & Armagh Sinn Féin Westminster Election candidate Mickey Brady spoke about his party’s initiative. “Dual Diagnosis, mental health and addiction is part of a national Sinn Féin initiative on mental health. Similar conferences have been held in Dublin, Sligo and Cork. The issue impacts on individuals, families and communities throughout Ireland.”
He continued, “Dual Diagnosis is the term used when a person suffers from both a substance abuse problem and another mental health issue such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
“In general, mental health services and addiction treatment centres in Ireland do not treat people holistically. If an alcoholic’s addiction arises from mental health issues that person will not be treated for those mental health issues until their alcoholism has been addressed.
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Brady added, “On presentation to a mental health centre it can be the case that they will be turned away until their alcoholism has been dealt with. North and South our Health Administrators need to have a clear, cohesive policy and action plan to address the complex issues that are involved.”
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