Working Life: My work is a mix of hands-on clinical care and national service development

Dr Amanda Burke, national clinical lead, HSE Child and Youth Mental Health

National Clinical Lead, HSE Child & Youth Mental Health Dr Amanda Burke. Picture: Gareth Chaney

“I was born in Dublin but grew up beside the sea in Co Down. As a child, I was always completely absorbed in hospital dramas, fascinated by the pace, the decisions and, most of all, the people. I’ve always been drawn to human behaviour and to the stories that shape us, so psychiatry felt like a very natural direction for me.

“I studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin. Early in my training, I discovered how much I enjoyed working with young people. Their honesty, resilience, and ability to adapt struck a chord. That connection — and a strong desire to improve services for them — led me towards medical management. Alongside clinical work, I wanted to help build more responsive mental health systems that truly support young people when they need it most.

There have been many meaningful moments in my career, but one that stayed with me was seeing a young person in Camhs that I supported through a severe depressive episode go on to qualify as a nurse.

Hearing later they had resuscitated a child was incredibly moving. It was a reminder of why early and compassionate care matters so deeply.

“In my role as national clinical lead in the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Office, my work is a mix of hands-on clinical care and national service development. I look after young people and manage a busy child and adolescent inpatient unit, while also advocating for better resources nationally.

“Our office published a three-year action plan last year that works towards redesigning and delivering safe, easy-to-access, and appropriate services. We want to ensure all children and families have equitable and timely access to high-quality mental health services. We are also currently developing and implementing a single point of access for children and young people referred to specialist primary care, disability, and mental health services at regional level.

“Outside of work, I love running and cheering from the sidelines at my son’s matches. Most of all, I enjoy being with our large and wonderful family. They remind me every day why this work matters.”

• Camhs is a specialist clinical service for people under 18 with moderate to severe mental health difficulties. Only a small percentage will, due to the complexity of their needs, require support from Camhs.
• For more information about Camhs, see www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/camhs.