Barnardos wants more aid for mentally ill children

CHILDREN’S charity Barnardos is claiming the Government has an “unprecedented opportunity” in today’s Budget to improve services for the estimated 90,000 children suffering from psychological illnesses.

The organisation said there are “hugely detrimental gaps in psychological and psychiatric services for children”. It has urged Finance Minister Brian Cowen to promise more investment for next year.

The charity also called for resources to be made available, as a first step, for the immediate implementation of the Government’s mental health strategy A Vision for Change.

Chief executive of Barnardos Fergus Finlay said: “Children with psychological or psychiatric difficulties cannot regain this vital lost childhood time. The time they spend undiagnosed or without age appropriate services is crucial to their development.”

According to the Irish College of Psychiatrists, 20% of the country’s 440,000 children have a psychological disorder at any one time.

Barnardos are also calling for more investment in the National Education Psychology Service (NEPS) — a body run by the Department of Education which assesses the requirements of pupils with learning and behavioural difficulties.

Children are waiting up to four years for psychiatric assessment in some parts of the country.