<p>
	Mental Health Reform director says move will reduce unnecessary and costly hospital visits</p>
<p>
	An umbrella group representing mental health charities in Ireland has welcomed the HSE&rsquo;s decision to introduce full-time supports for those experiencing mental health difficulties.</p>
<p>
	Under the HSE Mental Health Division Operational Plan 2015, support services for people who have undergone treatment for mental health difficulties in the past will be extended to include Saturdays and Sundays.</p>
<p>
	The plan also included a commitment to equip emergency departments so they can deal with people experiencing a crisis on a 24/7 basis, a move which has been welcomed by Mental Health Reform director Dr Shari McDaid.</p>
<p>
	Capacity</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;We welcome the HSE&rsquo;s commitment to build capacity within A&amp;E departments for a 24/7 response to people in a crisis. This will make it easier for people to get support when they need it,&rdquo; said Dr McDaid, whose organisation represents 49 mental health-related charities throughout the country.</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;Ensuring that people are well supported in their local community will reduce unnecessary and more costly hospital stays, and will help people to recover their wellbeing. It is important that both of these initiatives are funded and adequately resourced to ensure that people get timely support in their local community,&rdquo; she added.</p>
<p>
	Although still some way short of pre-recessionary figures, the implementation of the 2015 plan will bring the total budget allocation for mental health up to &euro;791.8 million, a 5 per cent rise on 2014.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/mental-health-charities-welcome-hse-service-extensions-1.2057077">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/mental-health-charities-welcome-hse-service-extensions-1.2057077</a></p>
