As part of Sinn Féin’s new Mental Health Action Plan, launched today, the party wants to establish a new Child and Young People’s Mental Health Service and introduce early intervention services for children up to the age of 25.
Speaking at the launch event, Sinn Féin mental health spokesperson Mark Ward said Sinn Féin also wants to amend the Mental Health Act to ensure that the recommendations of the Mental Health Commission are implemented.
“They have made 49 recommendations, but they do not have the legal authority to ensure that those recommendations are implemented. That is one of the things we would do immediately, which makes sense,” Deputy Ward said.
Mr Ward said the party would increase the capacity of CAMHS to tackle the problem of children 'languishing' on waiting lists.
“We have over 540 children who have been on the waiting list for over a year. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed immediately,” Ward said.
The party would also introduce a new children's mental health service, which would replace CAMHS and focus on young people up to the age of 25.
“75% of all mental disorders are diagnosed by the age of 25. Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 do not specifically receive early help.
“Sinn Féin would address this by introducing a new child and young people's mental health service, which would eventually replace CAMHS,” Deputy Ward said.
This ensures that young people receive continuity of care and that support does not stop once they turn 18.
Other recommendations included funding for 20 additional inpatient beds for patients with eating disorders and community-based services.
Currently there are only three public beds in the state for adults with eating disorders, which Mr Ward said is an “absolute disgrace”.
Mr Ward also said the plan would aim to support those who 'fall through the cracks' in addiction and mental health services.
The Sinn Féin MP outlined problems where people with both addiction and mental health issues are often passed from one service to another.
“When someone has a dual diagnosis of mental health and addiction, they often fall between the cracks. So they come to a mental health service, the mental health services say, go away and deal with your addiction and then come back and we will help you,” Mr Ward said.
Mr Ward, along with Deputy Member Thomas Gould, introduced the No Wrong Door bill in 2021 to address this problem.
The action plan would last five years and cost a total of €250 million, of which €50 million per year.
“These are new initiatives that are being funded and will cost €250 million. On top of that comes the existing funding from the existing levels of services,” said Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty.