As Economic Climate Deteriorates we must Support he most Vulnerable in Budget 2009

Tuesday, 16 September 2008 00:00

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AS ECONOMIC CLIMATE DETERIORATES WE MUST
SUPPORT THE MOST VULNERABLE IN BUDGET 2009

Government must ensure that revenue funding is sufficient to fill all vacant HSE posts in 2009. This is one of the key recommendations made by Schizophrenia Ireland in its submission on Budget 2009, which was presented to Government today.

The Submission, entitled ´Supporting Good Mental Health´, maintains that the inordinately high rate of involuntary admission in Ireland is largely due to the lack of adequate community care services and that it is not acceptable that citizens´ human rights should be denied through the failure of political will to provide adequate healthcare. Experts have made repeated calls across the field for effective actions and more investment into Ireland's mental health, including the Chairman of the Mental Health Commission and the Inspector of Mental Health Services.

"Good mental health is vital for economic growth and social development in Ireland. As the economic climate deteriorates there is an even greater responsibility on us to continue to protect and support the most vulnerable in our society. This group includes those people with mental ill health. Any reduction in the allocation of resources to these people will result in an increase in the prevalence of mental ill health and will have a detrimental effect on individuals, families, the economy and the population as a whole," said John Saunders, Director of Schizophrenia Ireland.

Continuing with the theme of housing, Schizophrenia Ireland´s Pre-Budget Submission also identifies the need for the Government to prioritise funding housing provision for single homeless people with a history of mental illness. "Housing is a major cause of stress for people with self-experience of mental illness, and it has been well documented that a significant percentage of the homeless in Ireland have a mental illness. Current reports suggest that up to 30% of the homeless population have some form of mental illness."

The Submission also calls on Government to put in place a policy of medical card eligibility for all people who require continuing mental healthcare.

Schizophrenia Ireland´s submission sets out recommendations for Budget 2009 with common sense initiatives, in keeping with Government's existing Health Strategy. According to Mr Saunders, "such action would go some distance to demonstrating the Government's commitment to improving the lives of people affected by mental illness."

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For further information, please contact:
John Saunders, Director, Schizophrenia Ireland
Mobile: 0879271292; Tel: 01 860 1620
Information Helpline: 1890 621 631
Websites: www.sirl.ie or www.recover.ie
Please find attached the PDF of ´Supporting Good Mental Health´