Cork senator calls for greater investment in frontline mental health services

A Cork senator has called for urgent action to be taken to address the lack of accessible mental health services in Cork North-West.

Sinn Féin senator Nicole Ryan has criticised the failure of the Government to deliver basic mental health infrastructure in rural areas of Cork North-West.

Her comments came following a recent weekend spent in Charleville supporting the work of the Charleville Suicide Awareness Project.

Ms Ryan said: “Charleville has no dedicated mental health support hub. Nothing. If you’re in crisis, your only options are Cork city or Mallow , both an hour’s drive away, if you even have access to transport. That’s completely unacceptable.

“All people are asking for is a safe, local space where someone can come, ask for help, and get timely access to that help. But unless you’re lucky enough to afford private care, that help just isn’t there.”

Ms Ryan also referenced figures raised by Sinn Féin’s mental health spokeswoman, Sorca Clarke, which show that the State spent more than €13m in just five years sending people abroad for mental health care due to the lack of capacity at home.

Frontline services

“That’s €13m that could have been invested in frontline mental health services in places like Charleville, in therapists, in crisis teams, in walk-in hubs,” Ms Ryan said.

“This outsourcing of care is not just a waste of money, it’s a national disgrace. Our young people, our neighbours, our loved ones deserve better.”

Ms Ryan concluded by calling on the HSE and the department of health to meet with local organisations in North Cork and commit to developing a dedicated rural mental health support hub.

“The people of Charleville and Cork North West are not asking for the world, just a place to go, someone to listen, and timely support when it matters most. The Government has a duty to deliver that,” she said.