Speaking at Dean Clinic, Mahon, Cork on Monday, Dr Treasa O’Sullivan, Consultant Psychiatrist, stated that, according to recent findings by the clinic, the upsurge in mental health issues is bringing many people and families to crisis point and stressed the importance of heightening awareness of the range of services that are available in the area of mental health.

“The indicators in our study show that families in particular are at breaking point, with rising numbers (800 to date this year) accessing our services in the Cork clinic. Locked in a mixture of fear of the unknown and fear for the future, they are often unaware of the support services that are available to help them plan and manage worrying episodes and on-going issues,” Dr O’Sullivan said, adding that people are struggling through lack of awareness of the services that are out there to help them.

Dr O’Sullivan stated that Dean Clinic Cork is seeing an average of 160 service users with mental health issues per month at the Cork clinic, and an average of 1,062 per month through all its seven clinics.

“The range of mental health services provided by us cater for anxiety disorders, OCD, panic disorders, social phobia, addiction and dual diagnosis, depression, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. Our location within the VHI Swiftcare Clinic in City Gate, Mahon, Cork has enabled patients to access our services easily but we have a long way to go in reaching vulnerable people who are often unaware of the help that surrounds them’ she said.

Dr O’Sullivan went on to say: ‘What is gratifying, however, is that we as a nation have come a long way in the last ten years in recognising and supporting people with various mental issues, the stigma of former years is, I am happy to acknowledge, diminishing somewhat. There is hope now, and the services are available’.

A free mental health information and support line, staffed by experienced mental health nurses, is also available from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday with an answering and call-back facility outside hours. Call 01-2493333 or email info@stpatsmail.com.