Madam, – To break the “implementation deficit” which the last government did not address, Mental Health Reform is urging the new Government to publish a detailed plan for reform of mental health services within its first 100 days in office.
It is estimated that one in four people experience a mental health difficulty during their lives. The cost of poor mental health to the Irish economy was €3 billion in 2006. Ireland’s mental health plan A Vision for Change needs to be fully implemented by 2016, but to achieve this deadline an accountable structure, a published plan and financial commitment are necessary. – Yours, etc,