Speech by Minister Micheál Martin at opening of GROW Centre

Comments by Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, at the opening of the refurbished GROW Centre and Office in Cork On Friday 11 November 2005

Good Afternoon

This event gives us all a welcome opportunity to view the new centre and office accommodation and to compliment those responsible for their hard work in bringing this project to fruition. It is also an excellent opportunity for me to acknowledge and recognise the importance and value of the work of GROW in responding to the needs of a significant number of people in our society.

Background

The World Health Organization tells us that one in four of us is likely to experience mental health problems at some time in our lives. Many of us have suffered depression, psychotic episodes, acute anxiety or stress and we know the personal distress this causes. If we have not suffered any of these difficulties ourselves, we know someone who has. No one is immune to mental health difficulties, so it behoves us all to work together to promote good mental health and to create a positive, caring society. The factors which increase the likelihood of mental breakdown are well known. These include: poverty, unemployment, loneliness, loss of identity, helplessness and hopelessness. These factors are known to contribute to acute mental crises such as depression, stress-related disorders, suicidal feelings or dependency on drugs and/or alcohol.

The positive side of the coin is that we also know the factors which contribute to well-being and recovery from such difficulties. One of the most important of these is friendship, and a sense of belonging. This is one of the areas in which Grow offers so much. I understand that you have a saying which states: “Only you can do it, but you can’t do it alone”. As members of GROW, you don’t have to do it alone, and I believe that the friendship and support offered by GROW is at the heart of the organisation’s success.

Self Help

The power of self-help is a critical factor in any healing process. The opportunity to share and discuss one’s fears and emotions within an understanding environment is invaluable and of tremendous solace at a time of crisis. I would like to take this opportunity to commend all the members of GROW on their strength in coming together at regular weekly meetings to offer support and guidance to each other. This refurbished facility will provide a better environment for these meeting to take place.

Work of GROW

GROW, which was first established in Ireland over thirty years ago, is one of the largest mutual help organisations in the field of mental health in this country. Since its inception, members of GROW have provided practical help and support to each other through attending weekly self-help meetings at which the 12-step recovery programme is followed. These weekly meetings provide an opportunity for new friendships to develop, breaking through the isolation which so many people experience in today’s society. The meetings provide encouragement and hope to those coping with a wide variety of mental and psychological illnesses and offer support to members as they develop to their full potential. The work of GROW is constantly expanding towards alleviating the huge difficulties caused by mental illness in general, and stress-related mental health problems in particular.

I would like to re-emphasise the Government’s commitment to encourage, in any way it can, the activities of our many voluntary organisations both at national and local level. The work of GROW is extremely important in promoting a positive attitude in the community towards mental health, in developing greater understanding of mental illness and most importantly, in helping those who have encountered difficulties to grow as confident individuals. Substantial direct funding has been provided directly by the Department of Health and Children to GROW over recent years. GROW also receives funding from the Health Service Executive which have been allocated specific funding to support voluntary organisations in their areas.

Community-based services

On a more general note, recent years have seen dramatic changes in both the concept and practice of mental health care delivery in Ireland. Enormous strides have been made and continue to be made in developing a service, which is comprehensive, community-based and integrated with other health services. The shift in the delivery of services from predominantly hospital-based care to care in the community has undoubtedly enhanced the quality of care for persons with a mental illness.

The mental health services, both statutory and voluntary, have met the challenges of change in recent years with enthusiasm and vigour and I am confident that the further development of our services, in a spirit of partnership between statutory and voluntary bodies, will be approached in the same positive manner.

To conclude, I would like thank you all for the warm welcome that I have received here today. I pay tribute to everybody involved in the GROW organisation and I believe that the services provided are of real practical value to the many families affected by mental illness.

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