Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) research reveals around a third of stroke survivors become clinically depressed in the years following what is known as a ‘brain attack’ and up to a quarter suffer ongoing anxiety.

It also found that a survivor’s risk of death by suicide is around twice that of the general population, with one in eight experiencing suicidal thoughts after they leave full-time care.

Published to coincide with European Stroke Awareness Day today, (May 9), the study says stroke survivors across the continent are being discharged from care “without follow-up or specialised stroke support”.

The scoping review – The unmet needs of stroke survivors in Europe, by Kings College London – notes that survivors and carers “have to quickly gain an understanding of their needs and the practicalities of life after stroke”.

As a consequence, patients report “feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty related to stroke, medical care and life as a persistent problem,” the authors added.

The Irish Heart Foundation’s Director of Advocacy, Chris Macey, said the findings mirror the experience of many stroke survivors in Ireland.

And with only a small fraction having access to a HSE clinical psychologist, he called on the Government to increase the level of specialist support available to stroke patients both in hospital and the community.

Mr Macey said it was vital that recommendations in the HSE’s National Stroke Strategy to significantly increase clinical psychology posts were now met and that these should also be available post discharge to stroke survivors in the community.

“After consulting with stroke survivors on the findings of this research, we have been told we should communicate the full extent of the psychological impact of stroke in terms of widespread experience of suicidal feelings, depression, and anxiety – because it’s an issue that desperately needs to be addressed,” he added.

The report also found that there was a severe lack of information and training for stroke survivors and carers, while the provision of community-based rehabilitation therapies and support is falling far short of people’s needs.

“Many survivors only feel that impact after they return home and realise the extent to which their lives have been changed, so the need for high grade psychological services in the community is crucial,” Mr Macey said.

“But they emphasised there is hope when emotional and social supports are accessed.”

Stroke survivor Mick O’Donnell, 35, said counselling helped him get his life back to normal after he collapsed in front of his heavily pregnant wife in August 2021.

The father-of-two, from Bettystown, Co Meath, was later offered counselling to aid his recovery.

“The counselling was fantastic because I was able to involve my wife,” he said.

“She was going through it as well. She was the backbone of it all, she helped me through everything.”

For anyone who needs advice on any of the issues raised, the Irish Heart Foundation can be contacted via its Nurse Support Line on 01 668 5001; Pieta House operates a 24-hour helpline, 1800 247 247; and the Samaritans’ 24-hour helpline number is 116 123.