A survey by the Irish College of Psychiatrists says there has been a major rise in mental health referrals and relapses during Covid-19.
It said that the pandemic has added enormous strain on an already fragile mental health service and there is little appreciation at a policy level for how serious the situation now is on the ground.
The college surveyed 180 psychiatrist members on the impact of Covid-19 in the seven-month period from June 2020 to the end of December.
Comparing the second half of last year to the first half to the end of May, 36% of respondents reported a significant increase in referrals for secondary mental health services.