Mental health services preventing young people from reaching their potential, say Sinn Féin
Despite 75% of mental health conditions being established by the age of 25, there is currently no targeted early intervention for those aged between 18 and 25, according to Sinn Féin's Mental Health Action Plan. File picture
Lack of adequate mental health services for young people is denying children the opportunity to reach their full potential, a Sinn Féin TD has said.
As part of its Mental Health Action Plan launched on Thursday, Sinn Féin said it would be seeking to replace the current Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) system.
Recent reviews of Camhs highlighted various issues within the service including long waiting lists for high-risk referrals and children being prescribed "inappropriate medication", said Mark Ward.
The youth mental health service is at a breaking point, he said, saying that without treatment young people across the country are unable to realise their potential.
The number of young people waiting over a year for their initial appointment has risen to 3,842 since the Government took office, the Sinn Féin spokesperson for mental health said.
Despite 75% of mental health conditions being established by the age of 25, there is currently no targeted early intervention for those aged between 18 and 25, according to the action plan.
Mr Ward said that people are "falling off a cliff edge" once they turn 18 and proposed the development of services which would provide the necessary care and support for this age group before they transition to general adult services.
The process of replacing Camhs will be a parallel process whereby Sinn Féin intends to bring Camhs up to full capacity, including delivering 47 additional community teams and 41 inpatient beds.
Cork and South Kerry were named as two examples of areas where there are not enough psychotherapists, psychologists or consultants to keep up with service demands.
"In parallel to that, we will be training people and staff members in Camhs for the transition into the new child and youth mental health service," said Mr Ward.
The party proposes to reform the Mental Health Act to allow for the regulation of the service and to give oversight to the Mental Health Commission and statutory powers to implement change.
Separately, the party's plan includes an all-island dedicated mother and baby perinatal mental health unit. Currently, when a mother becomes an inpatient at an acute mental health service, they are separated from their children.
This is grossly wrong and something that must stop immediately, said Sorca Clarke.
"It would mean that mum can get the care that she needs while also ensuring that that really special bonding time between mother and baby isn't interrupted," she said.
"One of the consequences of that happening is that it can, at a later date, have another impact on a woman's mental health."
In all, the 20 key measures set out in the plan will cost €250m every year to fund, said Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty.
The five-year plan would begin at around €50m the first year with a further €50m added each year.
"These are new initiatives that are being funded at that cost of €250m. On top of that would be the existing funding of the existing level of services and also staff costs and wage increases," said Mr Doherty.
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