MODERNISING MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN IRELAND

Ireland has some of the highest rates of mental health illness in Europe, and it is estimated one in four people will experience some kind of mental health problems in their lifetime. Anxiety and depression increased significantly during the recent pandemic and Covid-19 crisis adding more pressure to already stretched healthcare services. Technology - from social media to a prevailing culture of 'always on' - often gets a bad reputation when it comes to how it affects people's wellness. But can innovation have a positive impact on the way we feel? Will a drive towards digital mental healthcare help us to live happier and healthier lives? Sponsored by Silvercloud by Amwell, host Ivan Yates talks candidly with Interim CEO of Mental Health Reform Róisín Clarke, who was involved with the development of Paediatric Inclusion Health and the Migrant Health Response in Children's Health Ireland, and Derek Richards, Chief Science Officer at Silvercloud by Amwell, to investigate a very real problem facing so many people today and figure out how inequalities in healthcare delivery can be readdressed. Later in the episode Sean Ruane, founder and CEO of Mind Data, joins Siobhán Breatnach on this episode's Business of Health to find out more about his mission to improve the mental health of one million people through disruptive solutions.