Tipperary TD calls for cross-party support on funding mental health for young people

Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne has called for cross-party support for their party’s proposals that would ensure mental health services for children and young people are properly resourced, fully staffed and provide support when and where they are needed.

The proposals, introduced by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, and spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane, were due to be debated in the Dáil last week.

“Scandals in our CAMHS were laid bare once more last week, and the government needs to act urgently to ensure that we have services that are fit for purpose for our children and young people. The current services are not, and there are serious concerns and risks for patients currently accessing CAMHS,” said Deputy Browne.

He said that in Tipperary he was aware of instances in which young people have been discharged with little or no support until their next meeting with CAMHS and that had meant for some young people that they were without advice for months.

“Early intervention is key - all children and young people deserve the opportunity to reach their potential. Children and young people must have access to mental services when and where they need them.

“Services should be extended to 25 to prevent ‘cliff edge’ of 18. The majority of acute long-term mental health difficulties develop between ages of 16 and 25.

“We are calling for multi-annual funding for CAMHS to be able to operate and forward-plan, to be able to properly staff teams, and we are calling for integrated IT system to improve quality of care

“We want accountability in mental health services and so are calling for a national clinical director for mental health, a role that was removed in 2016.

“Sinn Féin wants to empower CAMHS to be able to respond to issues raised in the Mental Health Commission’s interim report.

“The report did not come as a shock to any family who has experience of accessing CAMHS. They know too well that this Government has been failing young people,” he said.