Mental health is something that Ireland is only really opening it's eyes to. It's an area of health that is very important to take care of, and studies clearly show how many people are affected by mental health issues directly or indirectly. Every cause is important, but when I was informed of the recent cutbacks that could affect the organisations helping those with difficulties I felt it was something that needs to get attention.

The country is in a difficult place, but cutbacks to essential services cannot keep going on: I'm not an economist, nor am I a financial whizz, but there are always other ways to raise money than just slashing back funding. Mental Health Reform, a not-for-profit organisation composed of Amnesty International, Bodywhys, Grow, The Irish Advocacy Network and Shine (formerly Schizophrenia Ireland), have created a petition to the Government to ensure that no reductions are made to HSE staff in the upcoming budget: they are asking for the level to remain the same as the start of the year.

The body points out that Ireland is years behind in the international rankings when it comes to good practice of mental health, and how Irish are turning to need assistance from an already overcrowded, cracking system. With all these reasons it is clear that something has to be done to ensure no changes are made to services that are needed the most. For example, a 240 person survey conducted by St. Patrick's Hospital in Dublin found that over half of the respondents said that a direct member of their family had been treated for a mental health issue, 60 percent said a close friend had been treated also, and 51 percent said they had worked with someone who had undergone treatment for a mental health problem.

I've signed the petition, but I urge that you do likewise, and spread the message on. It will literally take two seconds and it will go directly to the Ministers themselves. We all know what can be achieved when people stand together.

http://www.mentalhealthreform.ie/petition.php

You can follow them on Twitter, @MHreform