Failings in the provision of acute mental health supports at emergency departments comes as no surprise to families that have been impacted by the lack of staff and services, which was detailed in a report by the Mental Health Commission.
The report showed substantial delays when it came to assessing patients and said there is also a lack of proper space in most emergency departments in which to provide supports to those seeking urgent care for mental health issues.
Joe Loughnane, from Co Galway, has spent the weeks since his brother's death in February trying to draw attention to the issues - in an effort to help orchestrate change.
On the 11 February, Adam Loughnane presented at the emergency department at University Hospital Galway.
He was in the midst of a mental health crisis and seeking care.
His brother said he "had been very depressed, so he contacted the hospital where he was told to go to the emergency department".
"He arrived there at around 2pm and he told staff that he was suicidal … but he was left waiting, crying and in distress for an hour-and-a-half," Mr Loughnane said.
"Eventually, he walked out of the hospital … later that evening we identified his body in the very same hospital he had been in only a couple of hours earlier" he added.
The tragedy galvanised the family to try and ensure the experience that Adam had is not replicated for others in need of urgent care.
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Mr Loughnane said: "We can see from his last actions that he was brave. He did everything he was expected to do - what they say 'reach out’ - that’s what he did.
"But he wasn’t listened to and we know he’s not the only person who has gone through that."
He is calling on the Government to ensure the healthcare system changes to ensure there is more thorough care for people at their most vulnerable.
He said the Mental Health Commission’s report proves that emergency departments are not suitable for those with suicidal ideation.
Instead, he contends, there should be admission units specifically for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
"That’s the only way you’re going to deal with a large amount of people that present as suicidal in our large hospitals, who are side-by-side with people with more physical health needs," he said.
Mr Loughnane said his brother "went through something that was horrific", adding "he reached out for help and nobody believed him".
"And I’ve found out in the weeks since he’s passed that’s happened to hundreds of other people," he added.
As the family await the outcome of an external inquiry into the provision of treatment to the 34-year-old at UHG, Mr Loughnane has lobbied the Minister of Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health to ensure the HSE improves the model of care for those in situations like the one his brother found himself in.
After launching an online petition, Mr Loughnane said he has been contacted by families with similar experiences going back over 20 years.
"We genuinely believe from looking at the report today, from the Mental Health Commission, those stories are beginning to filter through," he said.
Mr Loughnane said his brother’s case "is not isolated", adding "it’s happened before in that very same hospital and it has happened in facilities all around Ireland, even in the weeks since he passed".
"We want to see action on the back of that. We have to see change," he added.
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