Government failures leaving children in crisis – Clarke

Speaking this week, Sorca Clarke, TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson on mental health, expressed her gratitude to Families for the Reform of CAMHS, Jigsaw and SpunOut for their time and contributions to that morning’s meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee.

She said: “I want to sincerely thank them for engaging so constructively with the committee and for sharing their invaluable insights. Their evidence once again laid bare the reality facing children, young people and families who are trying to access mental health supports.

“Families for the Reform of CAMHS highlighted a system that is too often inaccessible, fragmented and reactive, children waiting far too long for care, families forced to navigate repeated referrals, and young people deteriorating while on waiting lists or reaching crisis point before help is provided.

“The lived experiences shared by families underline the human cost of a system that is not working as it should.”

The Longford Westmeath TD sai no parent should be left fighting for basic mental health care for a child, and no young person should be turned away or left without support when they are clearly in distress.

“I also want to welcome Jigsaw’s contribution, which demonstrated the value of accessible, community-based and early intervention mental health services, and pointed to the importance of properly resourced primary care supports working seamlessly alongside specialist services,” said Teachta Clarke.

“What was clear from the engagement is that reforming CAMHS in isolation will not be enough. We need an integrated youth mental health system, with strong primary care and community supports, early intervention, and consistent standards of care regardless of where a young person lives.

“Warnings about the safety and accessibility of CAMHS have been ignored for far too long, leaving families to navigate a broken system alone.

“Despite plans and announcements by government, real reform has yet to materialise. Children are still waiting, parents are still fighting, and crisis remains the entry point to care. Today’s engagement also highlighted what is possible when services are properly resourced, pointing to the success of early intervention and community-based youth mental health supports.

“Government must stop managing this crisis and start fixing it. That means funding mental health at the level recommended by Sláintecare, reforming CAMHS without delay, and ensuring early intervention services are available in every community.

“The message from all of the stakeholders today was clear. This crisis is well understood, the solutions are known, and the cost of inaction is being paid by children and young people every day.

“Sinn Féin will continue to press the government to act with the urgency that this issue demands.”