Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2016
15. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the plans he has in place to extend crisis intervention teams and counselling in primary care services for persons with mental health difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13837/16]
View answerThe current development of Crisis Houses, and Crisis Intervention Teams, form part of a spectrum of service supports for individuals with a mental illness presenting in crisis. One of the objectives of the HSE Mental Health Division has been to improve the response of mental health services for individuals in such circumstances. This includes accommodation and treatment for an individual in the most appropriate setting, relevant to their presenting need.
The new Programme for Government commits to further enhancing 24/7 service support and liaison teams in primary and emergency care, building on the commitment in the HSE National Service Plan 2016 for this area, including the development and staffing of crisis houses and the crisis response generally, and enhanced 24/7 access to specialist services where a psychiatric assessment considers this necessary.
Counselling is provided across the health service by both the HSE and the voluntary sector, including in primary care, but also within social care and mental health services. Counselling can be provided by a range of trained health professionals operating in primary care or more specialist services to meet clinical needs.
The Counselling in Primary Care service is a national service expanded in recent years to increase the access to counselling and psychotherapy and to supplement existing services provided at primary care level. Since 2012, €7.5 million has been provided to develop this service. The service provides short term counselling for adults with non-complex psychological problems aged 18 years and over who hold a valid medical card.
Counselling and psychotherapy are provided within specialist community mental health teams when service users are clinically assessed as requiring this intervention. Counselling is also provided by a range of voluntary organisations across the health service. The HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention also funds voluntary organisations such as Pieta House and Console to provide support across a range of needs.
The HSE National Service Plan 2016 identifies priorities for allocation of new development funding this year including the continued development of early intervention and counselling services. This includes funding for the development of counselling services in primary care for young people, in collaboration with the mental health services, and funding for the provision of new Jigsaw mental health services for young people in Cork, Dublin City centre and Limerick. The Department of Health is currently examining proposals from the HSE relating to the development of these specific initiatives for enhanced services, as well as proposals for the ongoing development of a range of existing and new specialist mental health services. It is expected that a decision on the release of the development funding for 2016 will be made shortly.
