Study cites high levels of stress and anxiety among councillors
RESEARCH conducted by a Mayo Oireachtas representative of serving county councillors across the country has cited worrying levels of depression and stress among them.
Almost half of those surveyed said they had experienced depression or anxiety and almost 80 per cent felt their role as a councillor is impinging on family or personal life. Two out of every three councillors suffered mental stress as a direct result of their political role, according to the study undertaken by Belmullet-based Fianna Fáil Senator and GP Dr. Keith Swanick.
The most common symptom reported by the 129 councillors who took part in the survey is sleep disturbance, experienced by 54 per cent. Almost half report low mood and 26 per cent anxiety.
A significant minority of councillors also report loss of energy, poor concentration and poor motivation, while nine per cent said they had experienced loss of libido and five per cent had thoughts of self-harm.
A large majority of councillors say their duties have increased in recent years and the demands of the job would make them consider not running for local government again.
Dr. Swanick said he was struck by the sense of isolation felt by many local representatives when he visited them during a canvass for votes for the Seanad election earlier this year.
“They opened up to me and it was something I felt I needed to address. My hope is that my finding will open up a debate on the matter. It cannot be overlooked that in the recent past a TD and a serving councillor took their own lives.
“There’s no buffer zone for councillors, and no secretariat, and that often leaves them exposed. It is true that councillors are like social workers and sometimes they are the first to get a call when people are in trouble.
“Most of those surveyed feel they should have more psychological support and expressed interest in the setting up of a peer support group.”
Better pay and administrative supports were mentioned by individual politicians as requirements for improving their mental health.
Dr. Swanick confirmed to The Connaught Telegraph that he presented his findings to Health Miniser Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Simon Harris.