Lack of investment in Mental Health Care reflected in increased numbers being involuntarily detained

A Sligo Leitrim TD says lack of investment in Mental Health Care is leaving gardai with no choice other than to detain people in psychiatric care against their wishes.

There was a 20% increase in applications by the gardai to detain mental health patients against their will last year.

The Mental Health Commission says over 1,900 people were involuntarily detained in psychiatric care in 2020.

32% of the applications came from the gardai - a number the watchdog says is 'very concerning'.

Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny is the Sinn spokesperson on Justice and equality

He says that with the lack of step down facilities Gardai have other alternatives

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