Head In The Game Statement
Head In The Game call on Government for Improved Mental Health Services
October 10th 2024
Head In The Game would like to use World Mental Health Day to highlight the severe lack of effective services for those struggling with a mental health crisis.
In September, a high profile Dundalk FC and League of Ireland supporter, Mark “Maxi” Kavanagh, visited Crosslanes Department of Psychiatry at Drogheda as he was in the middle of a severe mental health crisis. After several hours waiting at the facility without support, Mark’s situation deteriorated.
A couple of hours later, Mark had left the hospital and attempted to take his life by suicide. Mark was placed on life support and sadly lost his battle just 8 days later at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Mark unfortunately passed away by suicide. This is just one of several similar stories we have heard since, not only at this facility but countless others across Ireland.
Head In The Game was established to promote a positive discussion around individuals Mental Health and we have constantly encouraged people to speak up when they are struggling. We have been left extremely angry when someone in a vulnerable state actively seeks professional help and upon doing so, does not receive the urgent care and support they require.
Aidan Larkin, chairperson for Head In The Game states:
“Irish society is changing and we are all talking about mental health more and more. People are recognising that they are struggling with their mental health and are going to seek help, but the help just isn’t there. This is totally unacceptable in this day and age. I want to call on the Irish government to provide more funding and services for the Irish mental health sector and I also want to call on the minister for health, Stephen Donnelly, to do a full review into Department of Psychiatry at Crosslanes in Drogheda and other psychiatric departments around the country, how they initially assess people when they present themselves in a severe mental health crisis.
There are countless stories across the country where people are presenting to these departments in a severe crisis, then either being turned away or not receiving the urgent care they need and unfortunately losing their lives, in the same way Mark “Maxi” Kavanagh did. Over four years ago Harry Taaffe, who Head In The Game was founded after also was turned away after seeking help from this department.
Now is the time for the Irish government to step up and do better for the mental health of all Irish people”.
Today, on World Mental Health Day 2024, Head In The Game call upon the Irish Government to re-evaluate their care for those in a mental health crisis. We also call on the Football Association of Ireland to assist Head In The Game in using their voice to encourage improved mental health facilities & supply sufficient staff for all of those involved in football in Ireland.
Ends
