My mental health
Opinion: Who cares for it?
Is it just me that is having these thoughts, but is the rate of depression rising in Ireland? Personally, I bet Prozac is making a fortune. People losing jobs left, right, centre and diagonally must have an effect on a population’s mental stability right?
In the news a few weeks ago, a report was published about the mental health of young people in Ireland. I’m not sure when the study was conducted but the recession did not feature in the top list. For me, being unable to do things I used to do has had some effect on my mental health.
When going out with friends, there always had to be a few euros thrown in; for a cup of coffee, the bus fare and maybe the odd time; the cinema. But recently that all had to stop abruptly, and I was limited in what I could do with my friends. Thus ensued the embarrassment which every young person must face. At the same time, it helped me develop a social conscience because I did not want people to pity my new found poverty.
Just try to tell me now that this wouldn’t upset you!
Homophobic bullying wasn’t featured in this report, but cyber-bullying and bullying in general was. The Minister for Children Barry Andrews (I love him, really) said that from talking to young people himself (once or twice in his term), he found homophobic bullying to be a widespread problem. Homophobic bullying is a massive problem in Irish teenage society, and its main consequence is suicide in young men.
Some 460 people died by suicide in Ireland in 2007, with men under 35 accounting for 40% of all suicides. But what’s being done about it? Sure, it’s absolutely brilliant to have these facts presented to us, and to state that there’s a problem, but where’s the action?
Recently, I went to a meeting in the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) about young people’s mental health. The National Office of Suicide Prevention, along with the OMCYA, are organising an ad campaign to promote the protection of young people’s mental health. The last meeting was in July. It moves slowly, but like most of these things, serious problems are only acted on fast when there’s a massive outcry. An ad is a lovely thing to have but I have to admit, I think resources for young people are pretty crap.
The Government have done little apart from some partially funded youth cafes, and partial funding for organisations such as SpunOut.ie and Headstrong. Well done to the government on their lovely report, and future ad campaign. I’m sure it’ll help some people to seek the help that they will find hard to access, at a point where they are most vulnerable.
A round of applause please for undermining the youth of the country. Please stand up and take a bow.
Click here to check out the full report.
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