Sinn Fein TD for Dublin Mid-West Mark Ward has answered the HSE request to “be on call for Ireland”. Mark Ward is a qualified behavioural therapist and has years of experience working with frontline of a number of organisations that provide mental health and addiction services and has volunteered to assist front line health care workers during the COVID 19 outbreak.
Deputy Ward said: “We are living in extraordinary times that require extraordinary responses. I have decided to volunteer my services to the HSE “Be on call for Ireland “ recruitment call. I applied last week and received a response this morning to confirm my application is being processed. “The email also confirmed that I was just one of 60,000 people who have applied to help during this unprecedented time.”
“Whilst the priority is to recruit more doctors and nurses, the HSE are also looking for additional staff across all sectors including social care workers. I have years of experience working in this sector as a key worker and behavioural therapist specialising working with those with mental health and addiction issues” “If my offer to volunteer helps the HSE deploy their staff to the coal face or if I can assist by working in a community based organisation that will enable them to keep their vital services open I will be happy to assist any way that I can”
“I have had a number of constituents contact me during the COVID 19 outbreak who are really suffering with their mental health. They are experiencing higher levels of anxiety and stress. They are also feeling a sense of not being in control right now. I have assured them that it is perfectly ok not to feel ok right now and its normal to be feeling how they are feeling”
“I have also spoken with a number of frontline community based addiction services who are trying to provide services such as counselling and key working over the phone. Services are adapting to the situation” “My application is being processed right now and I will be willing to assist in any way the HSE sees fit. I am one of 60,000 applicants and I am so proud of undying spirit of the Irish people right now in trying to help their fellow citizens”
