Mental Health Day: We must look out for each other
A perfect storm of chronic state underfunding of services, discrimination against marginalised individuals and groups, and a lack of empathy for anyone exhibiting mental health concerns, has led to a growing crisis that must be tackled at national, community and local levels.
A new study to mark Mental Health Day shows most employees are afraid to tell their boss that they suffer from anxiety or any other form of mental health disorder for fear of being discriminated against in the workplace.
A survey of 2,000 Irish professionals released by independent job board, CV-Library.ie, reveals that 69.7% of Irish professionals with mental health concerns are too afraid to tell their employer, with a further 37.5% claiming their boss wouldn’t care.
That shows a worrying chasm between bosses and employees in relation to mental health. Any employee courageous enough to reveal their worries should be encouraged and helped, not discriminated against.
Discrimination in all its forms can have devastating effects. It has led to a crisis among members of the Travelling community. On Tuesday, the Oireachtas Committee on the Traveller Community heard Thomas McCann, manager of the Traveller counselling service, speak about what he described as “unbearable suffering” among Traveller families, with many losing “multiple members” to suicide.
“How it is that the State has let an ethnic minority get to such a position where their people are taking their own lives on such a regular basis?”, he asked.
How, indeed. Extra state funding will help but, judging from the 2020 Budget, mental health is not a government priority. Although an extra €39m for mental health services was announced by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, the real figure is barely €14m as the Department of Health withheld €25m of the money announced for 2019.
Such underfunding of mental health services is a huge problem but so is general apathy and lack of empathy at individual level.
The CEO of Mental Health Ireland, Martin Rogan, was asked recently what one big thing could be done to improve mental health in Ireland.
“If a stingy leprechaun only gave me one wish, I would wish for a society where human connection is fostered,” he told reporter Joyce Fegan.
Fostering human connection is not something that can be ordered by law although thoughtful government policy can help. It requires the work of each individual looking out for the frail, the lonely, and those who need nurturing. It could be simply a chat, or a friendly smile or pat on the back. It is not enough to say that each person is responsible for their mental health and that no amount of intervention can assist. We wouldn’t demand that of anyone suffering from a physical illness so why should mental health be any different?
So, if you encounter a friend or family member you believe is in trouble, don’t mind your own business. Intervene, inquire and offer help. That’s what human connection is all about, and we don’t a magical leprechaun to foster it.
