More than 620 children are enduring wait times exceeding one year for access to child and adolescent mental health services, a situation that has been labeled “infuriating” by opposition parties.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) recently revealed these figures in a letter to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, shedding light on the ongoing struggles within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). These services, which cater to children and adolescents aged up to 18, are designated for those who meet the criteria for a moderate to severe mental health disorder diagnosis.
The HSE, which is still finalizing the data, reported that over 4,200 young people were awaiting appointments as of December 2024. The breakdown of these figures reveals concerning delays: 408 children are waiting between 39 and 52 weeks, and 699 face waits of 26 to 39 weeks.
“Irrefutable evidence now shows that our mental health services are unfit for purpose. It’s frustrating to see these figures—12-month waits are absolutely unacceptable,” said Mr. Farrelly.
The figures show a worsening situation compared to the end of 2023, when 3,759 children were waiting for CAMHS services.
Mr. Farrelly further criticized the government’s approach to mental health workforce needs, particularly the shortage of specialists, including therapists and counsellors. He warned that without substantial action to address staffing shortages, waiting lists will only grow longer. “A year-long wait for mental health services is a devastating delay for children and their families,” he added.
The latest data also shows that 787 children are waiting between 12 and 26 weeks, while 1,685 are awaiting appointments for under 12 weeks.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the new government coalition, which formed in January, has promised to take action. The coalition’s programme includes plans to attract and retain staff in CAMHS and to create a workforce strategy to address both immediate and long-term staffing shortages. They also committed to resourcing CAMHS teams in an effort to reduce waiting times.
Despite these promises, last year’s data revealed that over one-third of psychiatrist positions within CAMHS remain unfilled, further exacerbating the situation.
Related Topics
