Mark Ward TD, Sinn Fein spokesperson on mental health has called on the Minister for Health to resource the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as a matter of urgency. This is on the back of information received from a parliamentary question that stated that over 2300 children are waiting for an appointment with CAHMS. 796 of these children are waiting over 6 months to be treated.
Teachta Ward said: “I received this information from my party colleague Pat Buckley TD. The information received in response to a Parliamentary question is startling. 2315 children are waiting for an appointment with the CAMHS. “Almost 800 children are waiting over 6 months with over 200 children waiting over a year. This is unacceptable. We are a 1st world country with a 3rd world mental health service. I was at the special sitting of the Covid committee on mental health when the CEO of Mental Health Commission John Farrelly stated that our mental health system is not fit for purpose and is out of date. I could not agree more”.
“Early mental health intervention is key for recovery. If a child gets the help that is needed at an early age then the child is less likely to need more acute services as they progress into adulthood. It takes a lot for a family to reach out and seek mental health supports. Sometimes when a child has a mental health issue, they do their utmost to pretend they are fine. Parents may not know immediately that their son or daughter was hiding a significant mental health issue, be it anxiety, depression or an eating disorder. So, the least the family can expect is to get help they need for their child when they ask for it. To see over 200 children waiting over a year for an appointment is heart-breaking for the child and their family”.
“There seems to be a longer waiting time in CHO area 7, which is Kerry, North Cork, North Lee, South Lee and West Cork. This area accounts for over 40% of the children waiting over 12 months for an appointment. I have contacted the Minister in relation to the overall waiting times and particularly CHO 7. I have asked that youth mental health services are resourced. “These shocking delays in assessing and treating children need to be tackled immediately because every day children are not receiving treatment leads to more complex difficulties. “Numerous mental health groups have predicted and witnessed an increased pressure on their services due to Covid. The Government needs to act now. “The time for talking is when a child is sitting with a mental health professional but the time for government action is now”.
