'You need to be very, very ill now to get into hospital' - leading psychiatrist warns Ireland's mental health services in 'dire state of neglect'

Professor Patricia Casey expressed her deep concern over the current state of mental health services, describing them as being in a "dire state of neglect". She emphasized the need for increased funding in psychiatry, stating that, over the years, the public sector has been progressively receiving less financial support. This, she noted, has resulted in a significant decline in resources available since 1980, thus necessitating immediate action from the upcoming government. Her plea highlights an urgent call for addressing this crucial public health issue.

In her remarks, Professor Casey articulated a stark contrast in mental health funding over the decades, pointing out that the public sector's funding now constitutes a smaller fraction of the overall health budget compared to 1980. This alarming trend emphasizes the ongoing challenges faced by mental health services, which are increasingly strained under the weight of inadequate financial resources. Casey's warnings signal the potential dangers of continuing this trajectory without a renewed focus on mental health care in public policy.

Read at Independent