197 on Meath waiting list for youth mental health services

The number of youngsters in Meath waiting for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is 197, some of whom who have been on the waiting list for two years.

Figures from the HSE North East show there are 83 young people waiting on services in the Ashbourne area, 41 in the Navan area, 34 in Trim and 39 In East Meath/Drogheda area.

Three of those in Navan have been waiting between 21 and 24 months, a further two in Navan have been waiting over 18 months and two in east Meath have been waiting over a year.

Across the county, 29 have been waiting over six months, while 37 have been waiting more than three months and 48 less than three months.

Sinn Féin TD for Meath West, Johnny Guirke has criticised the waiting time across the country which as of the end of November stood at 2,948 nationally.

“Waiting lists to access community health care in this country have gone from bad to worse.

“In the latest figures we received to a parliamentary question, it has been revealed that the number of children waiting for preliminary CAMHS appointments hasn’t dropped below 2,500 over the past five-year period.

“In Ireland, mental health spending accounts for just six per cent of the overall health budget. Mental Health Reform Ireland called for a minimum of eight per cent proportion to be directed into our mental health services, which have been historically underfunded."

Deputy Guirke called for the promised 'fundamental review' of CAHMS services nationwide to be thorough. "What has happened in Kerry was a disgrace and the families need answers. We need a thorough investigation into what is happening in the rest of the country as well," he said.

Following last week's review into children's mental health services in south Kerry, Taoiseach, Micheal Martin said there will be a full nationwide audit of compliance with CAMHS operational guidelines by all teams.

He said a prescribing audit will also be conducted in each of the 72 CAMHS teams nationally and the Government will look at “any further measures required”.

The HSE report published on Wednesday morning said hundreds of children received “risky” treatment from a doctor working in mental health in south Kerry and significant harm was caused to 46 of them. The review was into allegations that young people who attended mental health services in south Kerry were prescribed inappropriate medication.

Meanwhile, the National Parents Council Primary and St Patrick’s Mental Health Services have issued a call for the introduction of school-based mental health supports.

The call is supported by other organisations including the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network and Mental Health Reform.

Áine Lynch, CEO, National Parents Council Primary said: “Research, conducted by the National Parents Council Primary and Walk in My Shoes last year, demonstrates the need for mental health supports for children of primary school age, with 20 per cent of parents of primary school children surveyed having sought support for their children’s mental health during the pandemic."

Paul Gilligan, CEO, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services said: “Young people have shown incredible resilience over the past two years as they have adapted to the public health emergency, however, as evidenced across multiple research studies, there remains a significant requirement for additional mental health supports for this cohort. As we emerge from the pandemic restrictions, with a heightened focus on the mental health of our young people, it is timely to explore the different mechanisms by which we can further support, protect and enhance children’s mental health at a community level."