I was at the very first parliamentary forum in Dublin castle on mental health this week. It was an event organised by the Ceann Comhairle (speaker) of the Oireachtas. (Parliament) You can see the introductory video here and a video on the proceedings here.
Alan Quinlan gets personal
It was a really interesting and informative event. Alan Quinlan, the ex-Irish international professional rugby player gave an excellent and moving speech about his struggles with anxiety and how always having to be perfect made him ill. He was lucky and he got help. He was very open about how he still how to look after his mental health to make sure he stays well. I think it’s the same for all of us
June Shannon got personal as well
From the floor June Shannon, the well-known journalist described her own experiences and how private health insurance was essential for recovering. She also described the lack of mental health support for pregnant women during and after pregnancy very well.
Many speakers criticised the unfairness of private health insurance being necessary for quick access to mental health services.
There seemed to be general agreement there is still a lot of stigma around mental health issues. So kudos to these speakers for going public on their mental health issues.
We’re making progress
It is terrific to see the progress being made on mental health. I can’t imagine a parliamentary forum on mental health taking place even a few years ago. Such a forum gives more importance to the issue of mental health. It was great to see a good turn out by the Minister for Mental Health and TD’s.
Praise to the Ceann Comhairle (speaker) Séan Ó Fearghaíl TD for organising and speaking at the event.
What no alcohol?
What was disturbing though was only one speaker very briefly mentioned the impact of alcohol on mental health. The research shows clear links between poor mental health and alcohol.
Alcohol can cause depression. Also, because it reduces inhibitions people become more implusive and do things they would not do if they had not drunk alcohol.
In one study in Cork over 50% of men who died by suicide had drunk alcohol before death.
Click here for a link to research on alcohol and mental health by Alcohol Action Ireland.
Some personal stories
Our Lifewise writers often describe how their drinking and mental health influence each other.
You can find some of their stories below.
Lucy describes how she stopped being a stress head when she gave up drinking
South Lady describes how her anxiety and depression drove her into drinking too much.
Ashton describes how not drinking helped her to relax and be more peaceful
Cindy B describes the impact of alcohol and how we Irish have a toxic relationship with alcohol
Is alcohol misuse hidden?
While Alan and June get great support for being open about their mental health problems, we think the same openness does not apply to those of us who misuse alcohol. Most people stay silent on their alcohol abuse due to stigma. There are some notable exceptions like singer and Senator Frances Black who now campaigns on the alcohol public health bill. Or our very own Valerie Farragher.
Stigma is a major reason why people don’t ask for help. It’s why you don’t have to give a real name or address when you sign up for any of our courses.
What about a parliamentary forum on alcohol?
While mental health is coming out of the shadows, alcohol misuse remains firmly in the dark.
Instead of a parliamentary forum for alcohol we get the alcohol public health bill tied up for years in our parliament as TD’s listen to big alcohol. (More details here)
Does Mental Health get a parliamentary forum because there is a very active and effective campaigning group on mental health Mental Health Reform ? (Disclosure, we’re strong supporters and we were invited to the forum via MHR).
Or because in mental health, there is no powerful lobby against measures to make life better? I suspect the later is more important.
If you’d like to change this situation why not email the parliamentary forum at
parliamentaryforum@oireachtas.ie
or send a tweet to
Twitter use hashtag #parlforum
or you can sign our petition here.
Tell our politicians they can improve our mental health by simply passing the Alcohol Public Health bill.