A mother in Cork, Ireland, has expressed her belief that her son will eventually kill her and her family due to what she feels is the failure of mental health services to address his paranoid schizophrenia. The mother’s fears were expressed in an in camera hearing of Cork District Court for domestic violence cases, where the identities of the parties involved cannot be revealed. The 33-year-old man received a six-month jail term after he was found guilty of breaching domestic violence orders after threatening to kill his parents and family members.
The mother’s statement revealed that her son suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and constantly hears voices. She went on to claim that he previously threatened to destroy vehicles owned by her husband and another family member. The man carried out these threats, causing a total of €8,000 in damages. In a later phone call, the accused threatened to kill his mother and father with the same force that he used to destroy the cars. The woman stated that she was living in fear and was convinced that her son would eventually act on his threats.
The mother continued to explain that two consultant psychiatrists had recommended that her son should be assessed at the Central Mental Hospital, but no bed was available for him. The mother stated, “When he kills one of us, they will find him a bed for the rest of his life.” She believes that her son has been badly let down by mental health services and is convinced that he needs more help than he has received in the past.
The accused’s solicitor, Killian McCartney, explained to the court that his client had been prescribed medication but had refused to take it. McCartney stated that the accused believes he can manage his condition independently. However, he also admitted that the accused “falls back into a certain scenario” when not receiving his medication.
The young man, who was very animated during the sentencing hearing, spoke up often, saying that he did not have a mental health problem and did not need medication. The judge, Olann Kelleher, was concerned and recommended that the man is seen by a prison psychiatrist urgently.
It is unfortunate that the mother believes that her son is a danger to her and her family due to the lack of mental health support available to him. While the facts of this case may be specific to this particular case and location, it does highlight the need for adequate mental health services in communities worldwide. Mental health disorders can be complex and challenging to manage, and it is essential that those who require treatment have access to the resources they need.
It is clear from this mother’s fears that even when families try to support their loved ones, sometimes the available resources are still inadequate. Mental health services should aim not only to treat those who are currently suffering from mental health disorders but also to provide their families with the support they need. Hopefully, in the future, more resources will be made available to help ensure that no one is left to face their mental health disorders alone.
