Sligo in need of improved youth mental health services – ‘we are a red county in this regard’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The October monthly meeting of Sligo County Council heard two motions in regard to services for young people suffering with mental health difficulties, with strong pleas made by Cllr Edel McSharry and Cllr Barry Gallagher for additional resources and funding to be made available to help tackle the serious problem.

In her motion Cllr McSharry called on Sligo County Council to write to Mary Butler TD, Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, requesting that funding be allocated for the establishment of a fully resourced Early Intervention Youth Mental Health Centre in Sligo/Leitrim.

"While a limited psychologist led service is in place, our county remains one of the few without a Jigsaw or Mindspace model as exists in Mayo, Galway and Donegal. This gap leaves many young people without access to counselling and supports when experiencing anxiety, depression or lie crisis.

Cllr McSharry added, "With early intervention, such services could reduce inappropriate referrals to CAMHS, intervene before difficulties escalate, and prevent further deterioration of mental health. This inequity must be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

Cllr Gallagher was equally forthright on the matter when he addressed the meeting saying, “Our county is a red county in this regard. It is a serious issue that has probably affected everyone in the room.”

In his motion Cllr Gallagher called on Sligo County Council to work with the HSE and voluntary organisations to identify gaps in our local mental health supports and services, particularly for young people and vulnerable groups.

Stressing that the situation is particularly urgent in Sligo Cllr Gallagher also called for “Council owned facilities such as libraries, community centres and sports amenities available for mental health awareness programmes, peer support groups and wellbeing activities.

Cllr Gallagher also called on the Council to write to the Minister for Health and the HSE requesting that additional ring-fenced funding for community based mental health supports in the northwest to be prioritised in the upcoming health budget.

The motions received widespead backing within the Council chamber with Cllr Paul Taylor saying, “We all need to take time to look out for these issues. I appeal to people to reach out, pick up the phone and make that call.”

Similarily Cllr Dara Mulvey said, “We have to understand that mental health doesn’t discriminate. People need to be open to talking about it and availing of the services. Nobody is untouched, it is very sad.”

Cllr Donal Gilroy suggested modern technology has made the problem even more pronounced saying, “Mobile phone usage and social media has created so many problems. You could name 10 other causes but it is something that needs to be looked at.”

The discussion concluded with Brían Flynn, Director of Live Invest Visit and Borough District of Sligo Municipal District addressing Cllr Gallagher’s motion to say, “We have no difficulty with our facilities being made available. The service providers, supports, will have to come from other agencies and we are happy to work with those stakeholders.”