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.