Services in disarray - Mental ill-health

KATHLEEN LYNCH, the minister with responsibility for mental health, is confident she can secure extra funding in next October’s budget for services under her control.

That’s all very well but much of our mental health services are in disarray. There are long waiting lists and children are still admitted to adult psychiatric facilities despite the Government’s pre-election vow in 2011 to end that practice.

A recent report from the Mental Health Commission found one in five children being treated for psychiatric condition were still being admitted to adult units.