Alarming jump in mental health waiting list numbers

Deputy Rose Conway Walsh has highlighted the sharp rise in the number of children in Mayo waiting for mental health treatment.
There has been an 'alarming increase' in the numbers of children waiting for Mental Health treatment in Mayo.
Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway Walsh has said that children in Mayo deserve better mental health services and should not have to wait to access them.
Speaking ahead of legislation being brought forward by Sinn Féin to regulate CAMHS under the Mental Health Act, teachta Conway-Walsh said:
“In the Mayo, Galway, Roscommon area there are now six times as many children on waiting lists for mental health services as when this government came to power in 2020. The number have gone from 41 to 233 waiting.
“Currently, 39 children have been waiting over a year for mental health services.
“Children and their families in Mayo deserve better mental health services. They should not have to wait to access mental health services," said the Erris-based TD.
“On Tuesday Sinn Féin will bring forward a bill to regulate children’s mental health services.
“This is the first recommendation that was made by the Mental Health Commission in their report on CAMHS and if passed would give the Commission the statutory powers to oversee and implement the remainder of their 49 recommendations.
“This will drive improvements, and help tackle waiting listS," Deputy Conway Walsh added.
She said CAMHS issues must be addressed.
“The Mental Health Commission’s report into CAMHS highlighted a number of issues with CAMHS, including children lost to follow up, lack of monitoring of psychiatric medicines, unacceptable waiting times for high risk referrals and many more operational issues.
“We have also seen the unacceptable postcode lottery of care continue to exist with certain counties receiving a lower quality of care.
“Children with a dual diagnosis of mental ill-health and an intellectual disability are falling through the cracks as are neurodiverse children.
“Parents, children and stakeholders have been highlighting the crisis in children’s mental health which has gotten worse under this Government."