Local children deserve better mental health services – Sorca Clarke

Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke has said that children in Longford-Westmeath deserve better mental health services and should not have to wait to access them.

Deputy Clarke was speaking ahead of legislation being brought forward by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, to regulate CAMHS under the Mental Health Act, which will be debated in the Dáil on Tuesday.

Deputy Clarke said: "Children in Longford-Westmeath deserve better mental health services. They should not have to wait to access mental health services.

“On Tuesday, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward, will bring forward a bill to regulate children’s mental health services.

“This is the first recommendation that was made by the Mental Health Commission in their report on CAMHS and if passed would give the Commission the statutory powers to oversee and implement the remainder of their 49 recommendations.

“This will drive improvements, and help tackle waiting lists.

“The Mental Health Commission’s report into CAMHS highlighted a number of issues with CAMHS, including children lost to follow up, lack of monitoring of psychiatric medicines, unacceptable waiting times for high risk referrals and many more operational issues.

“The number of people stuck on waiting lists in Longford-Westmeath is increasing rapidly. Figures from August 2023 have shown that there are currently 695 people waiting to be seen in CHO 8. These latest figures show that the total increase in people waiting to be seen in CHO 8 has risen from 270 in July 2020 to 695 in August 2023. The national total of people waiting to be seen has risen from 2,115 in 2020 to 3,891 in 2023. We must remember that behind every number and statistic, there is a person and a life that matters.

“We have also seen the unacceptable postcode lottery of care continue to exist with certain counties receiving a lower quality of care.

“Children with a dual diagnosis of mental ill-health and an intellectual disability are falling through the cracks as are neurodiverse children.

“Parents, children and stakeholders have been highlighting the crisis in children’s mental health which has gotten worse under this Government.

“Sinn Féin have engaged with families and stakeholders. We have listened to their experiences. We are taking them seriously.

“This is the first step in tackling the crisis in children’s mental health and will lay the foundation to reduce waiting lists.

“The Minister has dragged her feet in this matter and now must support this legislation.

“This cannot be kicked down the road. Children in Longford-Westmeath cannot wait any longer for the regulation of CAMHS.”