“PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING because of lack of awareness of the mental health services that are out there to help them,” said Dr Treasa O’Sullivan, consultant psychiatrist at the Dean Clinic in Cork.

The clinic, which specialises in mental health issues, has seen more than 800 people come through their doors in Cork so far this year.

Although O’Sullivan believes in the last 10 years the stigma attached to mental health problems has diminished and that “more and more people are now prioritising their mental health,” more needs to be done to promote what services are out there.

O’Sullivan believes that doctors are great for identifying the mental issue and then referring the patient for relevant care, as they are well advised about what services are in the area. But men in particular are known for not attending their doctor as much as women, and here is where the problem lies.

“They are often unaware of the support services that are available to help them plan and manage worrying episodes and ongoing issues,” said O’Sullivan.

Dr Alison Lane, addiction counsellor and psychotherapist also at the Dean Clinic, told TheJournal.ie that they have found that more men than women are feeling the pressures of the collapse.

“This group are more severely depressed and are at a higher risk of suicide but they also have a better rate of recovery after treatment,” she said.

The recession is also having major effect on families and indicators from a study at the Dean Clinic has shown that families “are at breaking point… locked in a mixture of fear of the unknown and fear for the future”.

If you feel like you need to speak with someone, contact:

Dean Clinic: 01 249 3333
Samaritans: 1850 60 90 90
Aware: 1890 303 302

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