Government must listen to families and reform CAMHS, says Ward

Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward has highlighted the “urgent” need to regulate CAMHS.

A report by Families for Reform of CAMHS has highlighted the lack of services for children.

Families for Reform of CAMHS are a group of 1200 families that was formed in May 2023.

Ward said he has been pushing for the reform of CAMHS ever since became Sinn Féin’s mental health spokesperson for mental health in 2020.

“I have been contacted by hundreds of parents in my constituency and across the country who have either been denied services in CAMHS or who have not received the right care when they have been accepted,” he said.

“Families for Reform of CAMHS are a group of more than 1200 members who have come together to highlight their stories. In just a year, they have presented in Leinster House, they have spoken before an Oireachtas Committee and today they launch a report of a survey from their members.”

“I was happy to host Families for Reform of CAMHS in Leinster House on Tuesday where they gave a presentation on the main finding of the report. It was powerful, it was moving and it was necessary to bring about the changes needed in CAMHS.”

He cited the case of one parent who said “we thought getting an appointment with CAMHS was the beginning of getting help; how wrong we were.”

Another parent raised the issue of how dual diagnosis can affect the level of care, saying they were “passed back and forth between services too autistic for one and too anxious for the other.”

92% of families have reported that their children deteriorated while waiting to get onto CAMHS lists, 40% of children went to A&E while on the CAMHS waiting lists, while 69% went for private supports while on CAMHS waiting lists.

Ward said “the system is not working and if there is a dual diagnosis of an intellectual disability or autism, or if they have a specialist mental health need of ADHD, eating disorders or those with suicidal ideation, then the specialist service is not being delivered.”

“We need a reform of our youth mental health services where children can reach their full potential, and for families to be able to live their lives.

“I brought legislation to regulate CAMHS under the Mental Health Act to bring about the necessary changes put forward by the Mental Health Commission in their review of CAMHS. Government kicked this down the road promising their own legislation.”

He said the review has not materalised, which has left families waiting and children not receiving the care and intervention they need.

“Sinn Féin is listening to families and is taking these issues seriously. In Government Sinn Féin would prioritise youth mental health and for the delivery of early intervention,” the Dublin Mid-West TD said.