‘We don’t talk about it enough’

Local councillors are calling for improved mental health services in light of the prevalence of suicide in the north Tipperary area.

Raising the matter at the February meeting of Nenagh Municipal District, Cllr Séamie Morris sought an anlysis of mental health services in this part of the county, which he noted has seen a lot of suicides recently. Cllr Morris spoke of a lack of services for people who need help. People often have to wait three or four days to see a doctor, and going to the emergency department at Limerick hospital is not a suitable option for people experiencing mental ill health.

“I know there's always someone at the end of the phone but there's a deficit of facilities for people to go to,” Cllr Morris said. “We should do an analysis of services for people not feeling well. The HSE think we're well-serviced in Tipp; we're not. We're badly devoid of services for people who are feeling unwell.”

Working as a nurse, Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh had first-hand experience of the situation and she agreed that there is “a massive deficit in this area of mental health services.

“We don't talk about it enough,” she said, mentioning that most of those taking their own lives are young men that don't like to talk about their feelings. Cllr Morgan Walsh said Nenagh has a fantastic facility in the community mental health centre at Dromin Road but it has a small number of staff and consultants.

SUPPORT FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Cllr Michael O'Meara said people should also be mindful of the health and wellbeing of older people, who suffered a lot during the pandemic. Older people tend to neglect their wellbeing and are either fearful of going to see their GP or just do not have a tradition of seeking assistance, he said. Cllr O'Meara hoped something could be done to enable older people to engage more.

Lindsay Cleary of the council's Economic, Community & Rural Development section said the council is working on a wellness programme through its integration team. She spoke of a need to find services that don't impose a cost on people in need. Ms Cleary said the council works with Age Friendly and also with older members of the Ukrainian community in Nenagh. The council would endeavour to map all the services that are available and when they are available to the people that need them.