Lack of emergency Mental Health services in Leitrim highlighted

The lack of emergency mental health services in Co. Leitrim was highlighted at this Monday's monthly county council meeting, with concerns about suicidal patients being released with a letter for community mental health services.

Cllr Roisin Kenny (SF) highlighted the problem and presented figures in relation to the gap in care.

“I ask that Leitrim County Council contact the HSE to express our concern about the lack of emergency mental health services in the county.

“In response to a recent parliamentary question in the Dail it was confirmed that in 2025 1,242 people presented to Sligo University Hospital's emergency department with mental health issues.

“Only 198 of these people were admitted. I have dealt with several cases where people who contacted the community mental health services who have been left waiting for long periods to get the help they desperately need,” her motion stated.

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She told the meeting that many people have been affected by suicide in the community. “There is not a family or community that have not been affected by suicide. However, the services are simply not there to help people,” she stated.

“Often a person who is in a very dark place mentally finds it extremely difficult to voice this to loved ones and reach out for help. It is part of the illness that a person who is experiencing suicidal thoughts feel that they are a burden and that they do not deserve help,” Cllr Kenny added.

The Aughavas based councillor then went on to outline the lack of proper treatment available for these vulnerable people.

“I know of cases where family members have brought their loved ones to A & E in severe distress, sometimes after an attempt on their lives, only to be assessed and sent home with a letter for community mental health services,” she explained.

Cllr Kenny added that research had shown that A & E was not the correct environment for somebody in mental health difficulties to be.

“Sometimes, people just get up and leave an A & E and that is the last thing we want, when they have taken the courage to present themselves there. Mental Health difficulties do not just occur from 9-5 Monday to Friday. A & E staff are under severe pressure and I am sure that they do their best for all patients that present but it simply isn't good enough,” she commented.

Cllr Kenny finished her contribution by emphasising the help that is available. “There is help available. North West Stop provides an invaluable service, as does So Sad. These groups do trojan work in our area. However, if you do not have private health cover, the public service does not have hospitals available for mental health problems,” she stated.

Her motion was supported by Cllr Gary Prior (FF). “I would say that the numbers quoted by Cllr Kenny of people in difficulty are probably higher. It takes a brave person to say that they are suffering from mental health problems. Men are not great at speaking about these problems,” he said.