More than 100 young people took to the streets of Dublin today to call for increased budget allocations for mental health services.
The march, from O’Connell Street to outside Leinster House, also included a minute’s silence on O’Connell Bridge in memory of those who have died by suicide in recent years.
Organiser Luke Clerkin said the march was arranged to coincide with the mid-term school break in order to appeal to those most affected by the issues in question.
The 23-year-old, who volunteers with the Teenline service for young people in distress, said: “They wanted it to be organised for the mid-term, because they want to do it when the Government is in the Dáil. It was their suggestion.
“We started in May last year because in one weekend, there were six reported suicides in Ireland. We said we have to do something, because no one seems to be doing anything. People are marching for other things, but no one was marching for suicide prevention so we said we’re going to do it.”
Despite an overall increase in funding for mental health services as part of the last budget, along with a dedication to provide 24-hour support to people coping with mental health difficulties, Mr Clerkin remains sceptical about the State’s commitment given the consecutive funding cuts of preceding years.
“They said they would do something, but nothing’s happened yet,” he said. “We’ve been marching for nearly a year now, and we haven’t seen any change in the situation. It’s all words, and we will not stop marching until they keep to their promises.”
Also present was Louise Mannering (17), who has been diagnosed with depression and believes such demonstrations are important to raise awareness of the solutions as well as the problems.
“There’s so much stigma around mental health, and we’re trying to get young people to talk about their problems, see that it’s okay to feel down sometimes, and realise that suicide isn’t the answer and that they can get help,” she said.
Carrying a photo of her late nephew Noel, a 20-year-old who took his life five years ago, Catherine Bradley voiced her annoyance at what she said were continued deficiencies she has encountered in dealing with the care system.
“My own 14-year-old daughter is down as an emergency case, and she’s being pushed from one person another, being told to do this and that, yet nothing is getting done,” she said.
Central Statistics Office figures released last September showed suicide rates in Ireland reached a record high of 554 in 2011, with people aged under 24 particularly at risk.
According to activist Jamie Harrington (16), the Government must make mental health a primary concern.
“We’re sick and tired of having to fight for what should really be ours anyway,” he said. “Forget the water charges, what we really need in this country right now is our mental health services.”