Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
324. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on phone applications such as an application (details supplied); his further views on encouraging and supporting persons who wish to use these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3824/19]
View answerI believe that using telephone lines is a sensible approach for offering mental health supports to individuals seeking support and assistance. In mental health, there are many types of services available in Ireland, and it can be difficult to understand what service is most suitable to address an individual’s needs. Therefore, I have prioritised the establishment of a 24-7 sign-posting telephone contact line as a single point of contact to assist people locate and be referred to appropriate mental health services in their area. This important project is expected to be piloted in partnership with the National Ambulance Service and ready to proceed in 2019.
I am also supporting the HSE to provide a crisis digital texting service for those who feel that they are in need of urgent support. People will be able to text a specific number monitored by a trained counsellor responding from a secure online platform. A trained volunteer can then be assigned to the caller to assist the individual immediately. Following the call or texting conversation, appropriate referrals and follow-up work begins.
In addition to these very important initiatives, I am very much committed to expanding the use of digital health technologies to support individuals access greater choice and avail of online therapeutic and educational interventions. I have been working with the HSE on delivering a number of digital services that support my position on the effectiveness of using evidence-based online services.
I am a keen advocate of using online tele-counselling interventions, and the HSE are undertaking two six-month national pilot projects in South Wicklow and Galway/Mayo. I believe tele-counselling can provide a range of services including psychiatric evaluations, individual, group and family therapy, education and patient management. There is substantial evidence regarding the effectiveness of tele-counselling and research indicates a high level of patient satisfaction, especially among adolescents and those with autism and severe anxiety disorders.
I have had the pleasure of attending a digital mental health seminar in Washington and visited health services that excel in delivering tele-psychiatry services in hospital A&E units. I hosted a successful digital health conference in Dublin in September 2018 called, "Changing Direction", which targeted psychiatrist and other mental health clinicians to propose the advantages of using tele-psychiatry services. Because of the success of this promotion, the HSE has established a project steering committee to run two pilot tele-psychiatry projects to conduct remote consultations to address CAMHS waiting lists and a second pilot to address adolescent addiction and substance misuse.
As you will see, while I believe that providing phone services is essential, in this age of digital technology, there are many other options that will augment existing services to deliver appropriate care that will result in wider access, choice and the potential to create additional capacity for clinicians who may wish to work from home.
