173% increase in the number of children on CAMHS waiting list

Hannah McNamara

Figures from July show that 737 children in the CHO8 region representing Meath are waiting for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

CHO8 includes Meath, Louth, Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.

97 of the 737 children have been waiting over a year to be seen.

The 2023 figures represent the second highest numbers of children waiting in the country overall.

Mark Ward, Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Mental Health told LMFM that the situation has only gotten worse.

"There was just over 2,000 children on the waiting list for a first time appointment with CAMHS back in 2020. We're now in 2023 and there's 4,421 children who are waiting for a first time appointment.

"There's a lack of urgency, lack of focus and I have to say there is an inability to fix the problem that the government have created."

CAMHS is the HSE's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. They provide assessments and treatments for young people and their families who are experiencing mental health difficulties.