The young man passed away in Kildare following a tragic incident in May of this year.
A Senator has condemned Ireland’s mental health system, citing the tragic death of a 26-year-old Newbridge man who, following a suicide attempt, was told to present himself to A&E.
In the Seanad, Senator Nicole Ryan (SF) carried the testimony of the Newbridge man's mother, who described years of misdiagnosis and pleas for help.
She urged the Government to ensure the Mental Health Bill delivers real change - with joined-up services, proper funding and laws that protect lives.
Senator Ryan claimed that "for years" the young Newbridge man was "passed from pillar to post".
She said: "The rhetoric among ministers and some officials about joined-up services do not match the reality on the ground."
Citing testimony from the young man's mother, she explained how on "one occasion in the past, she had found him" attempting suicide.
It is understood that the young man was seen by a psychiatrist and advised to present himself to A&E.
The Senator said that A&E is not "a place where a person in such crisis should be expected to self-refer and wait."
She claimed that had the young man received "early intervention" it could have made a "difference".
It is understood, according to Senator Ryan, citing testimony of the young man's mother, that in April he was advised to self refer to a day programme for people "who were suicidal" but "he did not have the capacity" to do that.
The young man's mother was present in the gallery during the Senator's speech.
"Over the course of his life, he attempted suicide 8 or 10 times," the Senator said.
The young man passed away in Kildare following a tragic incident in May of this year.
The Government’s new Mental Health Bill has passed the Dáil and is now before the Seanad.
Senator Ryan said services must be joined up with "funding that matches our words".
Meanwhile, a recent Movember Men's health report detailed how mental health also remains a critical concern with nearly all GPs surveyed seeing male patients presenting with suicidal behaviour in the past year.
Cliona Fitzpatrick, Director of Policy and Evidence at Movember, says the report highlights the ripple effect of men's ill-health.
Ryevale House IPAS Contract To End In April Amid Ongoing Planning Controversy
Drummer And Founding Member Of The Pogues Andrew Ranken Has Died Aged 72
Road Safety Minister Says Drivers Who Haven’t Seen Gardaí Are “Unlucky” As Roads Policing Numbers Fall
Eight Special Needs Assistants To Be Axed Across Two Kildare Schools Despite Budget Boost
Maynooth, Leixlip, Athy And Kildare Town Exempt From Stricter Airbnb-Style Letting Laws
45 Years Later, Payment Of €20,000 Announced For Stardust Survivors
More Than 1,300 Crimes Committed By People On Bail In Kildare/Carlow Last Year
Hundreds Of People In Ireland Died By Suspected Suicide After Contact With Health Services
