Late January marked six years since the publication of Irish government mental health policy document A Vision for Change, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are concerned that it has yet to be fully implemented.
The policy proposed implementation of community-based mental health services. Chairman of the Mental Health Commission Edmond O'Dea said that progress was too slow. However he noted that "some progress had been made during 2011 and the first month of 2012 particularly in relation to the commitment of €35 million for the development of mental health services."
Orla Barry, Director of Mental Health Law Reform has called on the Government "to introduce law to ensure we have fully staffed community mental health services. This would allow for increased transparency and accountability in mental health spending, as well as ensuring better outcomes for those who use the services"
Amnesty International has said that new law is essential to put mental law reform in Ireland into action.
Meanwhile, Irish President Michael D. Higgins has said that debates between health professionals about the best treatment for mental health problems were getting in the way of people's recovery. The President spoke at the Irish Council for Psychotherapy's national conference, where there were also calls for the inclusion of psychotherapists and counsellors in forthcoming legislation to regulate the standards and qualifications of some health professionals.
Click here to see the report A Vision for Change.