Budget 2025: Ask for more money for mental health and addiction services in Cork city

Cork charity Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness was founded in the north in 2009, at a time when that part of the city was struggling to deal with high suicide rates, and the group has has expanded its operations in the region.

The organization provides low-cost counselling, through its Community Education and Health / Coiscéim Counselling, and regularly runs SafeTalk and ASIST suicide awareness training in conjunction with the HSE.

Other services provided by the group include community bereavement support groups, and referrals to support services provided by other organizations, as well as promoting mental health in the community.

Joe D’Alton is one of the founders and directors of Shine A Light, and he said there are many challenges facing the Government, the HSE, and all statutory bodies responsible for providing healthcare services. mental health in Ireland.

Mr D’Alton said: “We would like to see some of the fundamental changes implemented.

“Current spending of €1.3bn a year on mental health services is only 5.7% of the health budget.

“The minimum required by the World Health Organization is 12%, so we are not there yet.”

Finding adequate funding for mental health services is often difficult, due to funding limitations and priorities within the health system, Mr. D’Alton said, and lack of adequate funds has led to many problems.

Although the charity has yet to make an initial funding proposal, Mr D’Alton said Shine A Light is seeking increased Government funding to support mental health services.

Another area that needed increased funding was services for children with special needs, particularly around autism, Mr D’Alton said, and that the Government needed to provide what he called “targeted, efficient, regional budgeting”.

He added that without targeted Government intervention, children with additional needs will continue to fall between the cracks.

The charity called on the State to improve professional development by providing ongoing training opportunities for mental health workers.

It added that there is a need to develop training programs to support new employers and reduce burnout.

Call to extend social services

Speaking about the power of Shine A Light, Mr. D’Alton said there is a need to expand mental health services in the community and develop local programs to provide help and support quickly.

There was also a need to increase the availability of psychiatric services to reduce the burden on inpatient facilities, he said.

This, Mr. D’Alton said, will require investment in the construction and renovation of psychiatric facilities to increase bed capacity.

There needed to be designated safe areas in crisis centers for patients presenting with mental health issues, separate from the emergency department (ED), he said.

“Patients with mental health problems need a calm and supportive environment, which is often not available in chaotic and stressful situations. [the ED],” he said.

“A designated safe space can provide the right environment for these patients, reducing their anxiety and improving their overall experience.”

Long wait times in the ED can exacerbate mental health problems, he noted, leading to increased stress and the possibility of patients leaving without receiving care.

“A dedicated mental health crisis center can streamline the process, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care, thus reducing the risk of them being left untreated,” he said so.

“Providing immediate and specialized care can significantly improve patient outcomes.

“Promptly intervening in problems can prevent worsening of symptoms, reduce the need for hospitalization, and promote faster recovery,” Mr D’Alton said.

Addiction services

Meanwhile, a national addiction service provider that provides support across Cork has called on the Government to include a number of proposals in Budget 2025, including a new home-based service to sober people.

Coolmine Therapeutic Community, which works in partnership with the Cork Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force and the Southern Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force, has six community sites. These provide local support for people in the South West region affected by drug use.

Those areas are Cork City North, Cork City South, North Cork, West Cork, East Cork and Kerry.

Founded in 1973, Coolmine is a national addiction treatment provider that offers a wide range of residential and community services.

With 2,500 people supported each year, Coolmine receives 70% of its national funding from the HSE, and a further 10% from government departments.

The remaining 20% ​​comes from community donations and fundraising and donations.

However, Coolmine Southwest manager Brian Duncan said Echo that in the Cork/Kerry area, where, last year, Coolmine worked with 1,117 clients, and supervised 1,384 new people, the relief work is fully funded by the HSE.

“We’re funded to provide community-wide, local drug and alcohol services to people in their communities, but we’re only funded to provide basic treatment,” he said.

“Part of our pre-budget proposal is to recognize that there is a lack of funding across the country, which is obvious in Cork and Kerry, but it is a national picture.

“There is a lack of funding for services and supports for people who have entered primary care, but now need support to become independent.”

Funding for institutions of excellence

In its pre-budget submission to the Department of Finance, Coolmine requested €560,000 to establish aged care centers of excellence across three areas: Cork/Kerry, Dublin, and Limerick.

These centers would support people transitioning from treatment to recovery, ensuring long-term success and reducing the risk of relapse.

“At the heart of our pre-budget proposal is the recognition that there is a need for funds to build recovery capital for people who may not have many resources themselves, it could be the supports of family or community support, education or work, even hobbies and interests,” Mr Duncan said.

“When we remove drugs and alcohol from someone who has been addicted for a long time, once we have established a period of sobriety, the biggest problem for people is how to create a life that is more meaningful than drugs and alcohol. .”

He said that while the idea of ​​eco-centres of excellence was on the ‘wish list’ for Coolmine, it was something that those working at the charity would love to see happen.

“Even if people can get residential treatment, the lack of a place to go can be a huge obstacle for people who are committed to recovery, because it’s back into the community where it can be difficult for people to create an environment for themselves. safe,” Mr. Duncan said.

“We would love to be able to provide that for the people of Cork, but, at the moment, Coolmine can’t get anywhere.”

In its proposal, Coolmine sought to align its workers with public sector workers’ wages, as workers’ wages are currently 17.5% behind those in the public sector, a wage gap that, it said, leading to higher staff turnover and service. a hindrance.

It also called for a policy to be developed to include social and voluntary services in future public sector pay awards.