Mental Health Bill must not stifle voices of those it affects most, say mental health reform policy specialists

Mental Health Bill must not stifle voices of those it affects most, say mental health reform policy specialists

Proposed legislation is in front of the Seanad and, if enacted, would provide greater support for the vulnerable

There is much to celebrate in the new bill, but there are also several areas of concern. Photo: Getty

The Mental Health Bill introduced last year has been more than a decade in the making. There have been public consultations, pre-legislative scrut­iny and countless hours of policy discussion. The hope was that the result would represent a landmark moment when the principles of dignity, autonomy and rights-based care would be embedded in Ireland’s mental health legislation.

Last May, the Cabinet signed off on 241 amendments, bypassing the usual Oireachtas committee