Govt urged to improve mental health services for children

The Irish College of Psychiatrists has called for major improvements in Ireland's mental health services for children and adolescents.

The organisation said today that existing services were underdeveloped and had seen their portion of the overall health budget fall from 11% to under 7% between 1997 and 2003.

It said some Irish youngsters had to be sent abroad for treatment due to the shortage in services.

The Irish College of Psychiatrists said one-fifth of Irish children suffered mental health problems at some stage in their life, with ailments including depressing, eating disorders and attention deficit disorder.