Mental Health Reform, the national coalition on mental health, has today called the launch of the report by the Taskforce on Youth Mental Health a failed opportunity, highlighting the absence of any budget commitment for implementation. Speaking at the launch of the report, Director of Mental Health Reform, Shari McDaid, said,
“The report launched today makes some strong recommendations in areas that Mental Health Reform has been actively campaigning in. In particular we welcome the recommendation to establish an independent National Youth Mental Health Advocacy and Information service, and the recommendation to reform the consent provisions under the Mental Health Act 2001, which will give young people the same rights to make decisions about their mental health treatment as someone being treated for a physical health difficulty.”
Dr. McDaid continued, “However, overall it must be said that the lack of additional funding attached to the recommendations in the report represent a failed opportunity to make a bigger impact on young people’s mental health in Ireland. It was reported earlier this month that 2,500 children were waiting for their first mental health appointment. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services continue to operate at just 50% of recommended staffing levels. For mental health supports in higher education, a recent report found that some institutions have indicated a 41% increase in students seeking counselling over the past three years, and that there is now a six month waiting list for counselling services in many institutions.”
Dr. McDaid concluded, “We are also disappointed that the timeframe for update of the Mental Health Act is indicated as being Q3 of 2018. More than two and a half years have passed since the publication of the Expert Group review of the Act. More urgency is needed to improve the protection of young people’s human rights in mental health care in Ireland.”
Mental Health Reform is the national coalition promoting improved mental health services and the social inclusion of people with mental health difficulties. The coalition currently has 62 member organisations. See mentalhealthreform.ie for more details.
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