There was a strong reaction to RTÉ’s The Big Picture - Young and Troubled last night
Last night, RTÉ One aired their documentary The Big Picture - Young and Troubled, which delved into the issue of mental health in Ireland, particularly amongst young people in this country.
The powerful hour-long TV documentary and studio discussion was the last installment in the national broadcaster’s mental health series.
Other items over the week included the 60-foot artwork by renowned artist Joe Caslin spanning three stories of the RTÉ building in Montrose, a specially curated 2fm Spotify playlist and a GAA panel discussion on this topic hosted by Evanne Ní Chuilinn.
The documentary featured Della Kiroy, who spoke to students about their day-to-day pressures, as well as other young people and parents currently coping with Ireland’s stretched services.
One of the most poignant interviews was with parents, Fiona and Tim Tuomey who shared the heartbreaking story of their 11-year-old daughter Milly, who died by suicide.
Milly Tuomey died by suicide when she was just 11 years old. Her parents, Fiona and Tim, believe she was failed by the system that was supposed to help them.
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) April 26, 2018
The Big Picture - Young and Troubled
RTÉ One - Tonight - 9.35pm#RTEBigPic #YouthMentalHealth pic.twitter.com/XyyVzZP7Fm
It was then followed by a studio discussion featuring 2 FM's Eoin McDermott, Keelin Shanley, and presenter, Della Kiroy.
Mental health advocate Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin live-tweeted during the show thanking RTÉ for highlighting the important area of youth mental health, as well as sharing some hard-hitting facts.
Many viewers also took to Twitter to share their own stories and reaction to the documentary.
As a psych nurse I’m glad that #rtebigpic has highlighted the absolute urgency for more resources in mental health especially CAMHS ! Time for the Irish government to stop failing our youth and vulnerable ! My heart breaks for the families telling their stories tonight 💔
— Eilish McElroy (@Eilish_McElroy) April 26, 2018
In Ireland we produce approx 75 professional psychologists a year ... hence the shortage . not enough funding for training, not enough psychologists #RTEBigPic #YouthMentalHealth #TheBigPicture ...
— Dr. Eddie Murphy (@dreddiemurphy) April 26, 2018
I've worked in CAMHS for 15 years, staff are traumatised, the system is traumatised but most importantly those young people who are already traumatised should be protected from further trauma #RTEBigPic #youthmentalhealth
— Mark Smyth (@psychpolis) April 26, 2018
Ireland is crying out for more qualified clinical psychologists to deal with the long waiting lists for youth mental health services, but getting onto a clinical psych degree programme is near impossible. This makes no sense #RTEBigPic
— Jessie Barr (@JessieBarr247) April 26, 2018
Just to-day had to explain to a mother who was refused by early intervention that her daughter with behavioral issues would have to wait more than a year to be seen by psychology. We are failing our children. #YouthMentalHealth
— Dr Nina Byrnes (@DrNinaByrnes) April 26, 2018
In case you missed it, you can catch up on The Big Picture – Young and Troubled via the RTÉ Player
