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Protesters taking part in a demonstration against cuts to mental health services.
A NUMBER of demonstrators lined up outside the entrance to University Hospital Kerry on Friday afternoon to protest at €12 million goverment cuts to mental health services.
“To cut €12,000,000 off a budget for services that already can’t cope defies belief really,” said one of the demonstration’s organisers, Ger Collins.
“The staff who work in the psychiatric services alone in this hospital [University Hospital Kerry] are under enormous pressure. We won’t tolerate it and we’re going to make a stand and people all over the country will make a stand,” he said.
The demonstration was organised on Facebook by Ger Collins – who has experience working in social care – and Shauna Enright, a third year mental health student who feels passionately about the issue.
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Protesters taking part in a demonstration against cuts to mental health services.
“The goverment are sending out a very poor message to people who are suffering with mental health illnesses and people who work in the sector,” said Ger Collins.
Demonstrating with members of the public were county councillors, Michael Gleeson, Toireasa Ferris and Norma Foley, Cormac Williams of the Psychiatric Nurses Union, organiser of Darkness Into Light Tralee, Colin Aherne, members of IT Tralee student union and others.
A Kerry Rose sash is not a regular sight at a demonstration, but current holder of that title, Julett Culloty, was also on hand to lend her support.
“It’s really something the goverment need to address at this stage because mental health needs investment rather than it being taken away,” said Julett, who herself is a social care worker.
“We all know people who have suffered from mental health problems and depression,” she said. “I think it’s one of those areas that doesn’t get enough support behind it. I know over the last few years people are beginning to talk about it more, but I think it needs all the attention it can,” she added. Scroll down for photos…
Protesters taking part in a demonstration against cuts to mental health services.
Protesters taking part in a demonstration against cuts to mental health services.
