I’ve no real support. My family don’t live close and I haven’t got the bus fare to go and see my ma and da, so I’m basically here on my own. I think if you’re on any sort of welfare, there’s nothing there for you, you’ve no options, you’re left at home and that’s it. I can’t see
any hope because I know it’s going to be a hard budget, so I don’t know what the New Year is going to bring for me or the kids. I am so stressed all the time and it is affecting my health. I’m on anxiety tablets because I’m thinking too much. I’m having panic attacks so I’m on medication for that. It’s really hard but the kids keep me going, the kids are my strength. Only for them, I don’t know, I’d probably be on a lot more medication than what I am, just for sanity basically.
The government and the IMF don’t hear about the poverty they are bringing to people – they don’t live my life. They don’t realise how hard it is for us. And with everything going up now, the gas and the ESB and the whole lot, they need to give us a break. It’s going to actually cost them more money for mental health in a few years down the line. They need to just give us a break and stop cutting our money, especially the lone parent’s and children’s allowance; that’s for the kid’s clothes, that keeps them warm. I don’t think we can take any more cuts; for people’s sanity, please don’t.
UNDERSTAND
1. What effects has poverty had on Siobhán’s mental health? 2. Name two types of government support Siobhán is receiving. 3. Do you think that Siobhán is receiving enough support from the government? Why?
