Susan O’Keeffe: Consistent underfunding of our mental health services is a national shame

Many ministers for Health have come and gone and tinkering with mental health care in this country is their only legacy

‘This week, around 9,500 families continue to watch their young people suffer as they wait in line for treatment across all the psychological services.’ Picture: Getty

Is it the brutal truth that we don’t spend money on mental health services because we prefer cure to care? Because we believe that physical and medical ailments and illnesses warrant a higher share of public taxes because people recover more often? And, do we silently think that there’s no point in investing in those who will always be “a burden”?

There has to be some reason for the way in which the 21st century ...