A Europe-wide study of the integration of people with mental illness has ranked Ireland slightly above the average score for 30 countries.
The Economist Intelligence Unit found that Ireland’s biggest strength is a very advanced policy, but its weakness is a record of poor implementation.
This first ever Mental Health Integration Index, commissioned by the pharmaceuticals company, Janssen, assessed how committed certain countries are to integrating people with mental illness into their communities.
The index included all EU countries, as well as Switzerland and Norway.
Ireland comes 14th with a slightly above the average score.
Its policy on integration was found to be strong, but upheavals in the structure of the health services, such as the creation of the HSE, combined with austerity measures have weakened the implementation of good plans.
Only one in five adults with mental illness in Ireland are employed.
The report found better-funded services and a change of attitude was necessary to create a more supportive workplace.
The report also found the share of the total health budget devoted to mental health services has declined from 7.2% in 2006 to 5.3% in 2013.
In its response, the HSE said that since 2012 an additional €90m has been spent and 1,150 posts have been created in the services.
The HSE also said €766m has been ring-fenced this year so the services will employ almost 9,000 specialist staff.
But its plan for this year said 25% of the posts envisioned in the State's 2006 strategy for the services remain unfilled.
