HSE funds UK treatment for young Navan mother battling mental health issues for 10 years

A YOUNG Navan mother who has had mental issues from the age of 12 travelled to England this week to a specialist psychiatric unit in Surrey in a move she and her family believe will make a huge difference to her health.

The young woman gave birth in July of 2023 and was an inpatient in the psychiatric unit of the Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda until she travelled to England last Wednesday.

Now her relieved mother has spoken out about the years of anguish endured by the entire family as her daughter's mental health struggles took its toll and her delight that her vulnerable daughter now has a real chance of recovery and a chance to live a normal life.

"She has had a terrible time over the years. she has had psychosis, been in and out of care, she has always had difficult sleeping and got involved in drug taking.

"She is a lovely girl but very vulnerable and we now feel she will get a chance to recover and live a normal life."

"This unit she is going to will be very comfortable. She will get great treatment. We have been told that she will spend a minimum of a year there and will get a chance to heal, relax and grow."

She was accompanied on a chartered flight to England by her social workers, a doctor and a nurse.

"I will go over to see once a month and I'll be talking to her several times a day."

"She rang from the airport on the day she left and was so excited. She really sees this as her big chance to live a normal life and look after her baby."

Her mother explains that the treatment, which is being funded by the HSE, came about following a court hearing where the judge ordered that she be looked after.

The girl's health problems began when she was just 12, but her mother believes that she have had problems much earlier as she showed signs of ADHD.

"We first knew she had mental heath problems when she was around 12.

"She ended up in care several times. I wasn't able to manage her. She was in care homes, rather than foster care. She had psychotic episodes but has never had a firm diagnosis of what was causing it.

"Then she got involved in drugs. She has had a tough ride."

Her traumatic teens saw her leaving the case system at 16, but then been taken back on again.

"She got pregnant and had her beautiful baby at 21, but she had been in hospital for more than 14 months since the birth and has become institutionalised.

"She ended up taking hard drugs when she was pregnant. I really didn't think the baby would survive, but she is beautiful and healthy.

"Through all the years, her illness was never dealt with properly. She was given anti psychotic medication, but she never got a diagnosis. She was very vulnerable and was mixing with people who were very bad for her.

"The last 14 months have been very difficult for her in hospital and it didn't seem to help her condition, but just kept her safe."

"This hospital in England is her big chance and we are really excited about it and are very hopeful for the future."

A spokesperson said the HSE does not comment on individual patients or client’s care.