A petition calling for 24/7 mental health services has been handed to Waterford Junior Minister Mary Butler.
The Fianna Fail TD is Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People.
More than 45,000 people signed the petition which was started by Stacy Quinn from Uplift.
She says they just want the government to listen.
"More and more lives are being taken every day around the country by suicide. The only way forward is to engage with people who have mental health illnesses and listen to their needs.
"As someone who suffered from mental health in the past and who is also beavered several times by suicide, each suicide loss is a lesson learned. We need services; a 24/7 emergency department service can save lives."
Michelle Byrne is an Uplift campaigner:
"Over 45,000 Uplift members understand the serious need for better mental services in Ireland. The government has failed to act for too long. Accepting this petition is the first step - we're hoping to see action taken by the Minister in the upcoming Budget 2021 next month. But Uplift members will keep pushing until we see 24/7 emergency services rolled out across the country."
The petition can be found here
