Sir, – It is now observable in our communities that a lot of mental anguish is being caused by the recession.
People who before the recession were functioning well and flourishing on all levels now are seeking help for stress-related mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders.
For example, those who were self-employed before the downturn and paid their taxes, now with collapsed businesses find themselves without even the net of social welfare benefits. Many people find the stress of not being able to pay household bills promptly very difficult, particularly if they have been very conscientious in the past.
Another very difficult scenario is that of having insufficient income (due to job loss) to pay huge mortgages for houses now worth far less than the mortgage cost. This is a millstone of incredible weight and unendurable length for those who have endless years of hardship stretching ahead of them.
There is no sense that the Government is responding to the suffering being experienced by citizens right across the socio-economic groupings. For example, the management of banking arrears difficulties on a case-by- case basis allows an impersonal system to put the squeeze ruthlessly on people who may not be good at advocating for themselves, to the detriment of a sustainable income for themselves and their families and their ultimate mental health.
Enda Kenny showed great courage in facing up to the Catholic hierarchy soon after his election. He now needs to show similar courage in dealing with the ongoing crisis, not just in fiscal terms but on a human level, to keep our citizens from having to face too much suffering. – Yours, etc,