'Crisis' in local children's mental health services
Local Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley says the Government has failed children’s mental health in Laois/Offaly.
The number of young people waiting for appointments with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) has risen this year, with unacceptable increases in those waiting for longer than a year. He has called for a solution to ensure children in Laois/Offaly get the timely support they need.
“Figures received by my party reveal that there is a substantial increase in young people waiting for mental health services in 2022. 617 children are waiting on appointments for CAMHS in the CHO 8 area, which is the Midland Louth Region. 77 children are waiting more than one year, this is a real scandal.
"Early intervention is critical to reaching an improved outcome. More and more of our young people are not receiving this timely care and there is an increase in the number of young people presenting to CAHMS for treatment and the amount of time they are waiting on an appointment.’’
"These long waits are totally unacceptable. Children and young people in Laois/Offaly deserve better. Just 237 are waiting in CHO 9 area. (Dublin).
"We need to move away from the postcode lottery for services. Treatment should be based on need, not on where you live. We are at crisis point now for young people’s mental health. The Government is failing to address this very serious situation.’’
“The staff in the services are doing invaluable work under huge pressure. However, they are being let down by the Government's failure to recruit and retain staff, which in turn adds to this increase in waiting lists.’’
“Sinn Féin in Government would prioritise early intervention in children’s mental health care. We are committed to delivering on these solutions and it will be a priority for a Sinn Féin government. The government must act now and end this scandal. Young people cannot be expected to pay the price for government failure to plan and adequately resource these crucial health services.”