Clonroche Woman Speaks Out About Mental Health Support in Wexford

A woman from Clonroche has spoken publicly about her experience seeking urgent mental health support at Wexford General Hospital.

Laura Bury says she decided to share her experience because she believes more needs to be done to support people who attend hospital while experiencing a mental health crisis.

Laura says she attended the hospital voluntarily after being advised by CareDoc to attend on mental health grounds.

She told staff that she was struggling with suicidal thoughts and explained that she was already taking antidepressant medication.

After an initial assessment, Laura says she was asked to wait in the Emergency Department to be seen by a doctor.

She remained at the hospital despite being aware of the pressures facing the Emergency Department.

Laura says she was assessed by a doctor the following day and again explained that she was experiencing suicidal thoughts.

She was subsequently referred to the psychiatric liaison team.

However, Laura says she was left deeply upset by the response she received during that assessment.

She claims she was told that there was little that could be done for her before the assessment had properly begun.

Laura says she was eventually given another prescription for antidepressants, despite already taking the medication, and was advised to continue engaging with her own counsellor.

She also says she was asked whether she planned to go on holidays and was told that taking a holiday might help.

Laura says the experience has left her questioning the level of support available to people who present to hospital during a mental health crisis.

She believes people can be encouraged to seek help, but that more needs to be done when they actually take that step.

Laura is also calling for greater access to dedicated mental health emergency services in Wexford.

She says her experience is not the first time she has encountered difficulties when seeking mental health support.

Speaking about her decision to go public, Laura says she would normally keep such personal experiences private, but felt it was important to highlight what she believes are shortcomings in the current system.

Her experience has prompted wider questions about how mental health emergencies are managed within busy Emergency Departments and what supports are available to people once they leave hospital.

Laura is hoping that by speaking openly about what happened to her, it will encourage greater discussion around mental health services and the support available locally.