"Young people deserve a health service that works for them"
Sinn Féin has outlined a plan to transform mental health services for children and youths across Ireland as they are in a state of "crisis".
During an event in Dublin yesterday, health spokesperson, David Cullinane TD launched the new plan and outlined some of the changes the party want to introduce.
He said it's important that staff are able to meet the demands in the sector but that capital investment and accountability reforms are needed.
He said: "We have set out achievable policies, grounded in reality and based on evidence, to deliver the ambitious change that is needed.
"Young people deserve a health service that works for them."
Sinn Féin launch plan to transform child and youth mental health services – David Cullinane TD and Mark Ward TDhttps://t.co/S7skyBX7hl@MaryLouMcDonald @davidcullinane @Wardy1916 @PatMcGorry pic.twitter.com/UsrAZFMpLD
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) June 12, 2023
Waiting lists for CAMHS increased by 112% over the last three years
The party wants to introduce mental health support for children and young people aged up to 25 that would allow for early intervention care.
Sinn Féin's mental health spokesperson, Mark Ward said life-long mental health conditions develop by 25 and so providing this kind of care early on in life is crucial.
Ward said the mental health services in Ireland are "in crisis" with waiting lists for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) increasing by 112% since 2020.
He said: "There is also a cliff-edge in our mental health services for young people at 18. There is inconsistent continuity of care, and many young people fall out of services or never access them.
"These failures mean that early intervention is passing our young people by. That is unacceptable.
"Sinn Féin are committed to developing a Child and Youth Mental Health Service to deliver high quality care for children and young people up to the age of 25.
"This document today underlines our commitments to delivering real change for young people, workers, and families."
READ MORE
