A huge rise in primary school children seeking mental health services a concern, says Tipperary TD
TD Michael Lowry has raised issues with children's mental health in the Dáil following a meeting with Tipperary INTO.
Deputy Michael Lowry told the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar he was 'dismayed' to learn of a huge increase nationally in the number of pupils at primary school level seeking behavioural and emotional assistance during the pandemic.
"A 40% increase is a significant number of children under the age of 12 years, and securing the appropriate assessments and assistance for these children was justifiably viewed by both parents and teachers as urgent.
Mr Lowry said lengthy waiting lists and lack of services, along with the pandemic, were to the causing a "fast-growing crisis."
"CAMHS currently has waiting lists in all parts of the country, Numbers rose from 2,755 in December 2020 to 4,434 in February of this year.
"The result of these children being unable to get appointments with mental health professionals has resulted in hundreds of them now taking prescribed antidepressants from their GP’s.
"Medications that will mask the symptoms but not address the problem. 15,113 prescriptions for antidepressant medication were given to children in Ireland under the age of 15 last year alone, said Mr Lowry.
The deputy acknowledged the huge amount of pressure children, and young people are facing, including poverty, abuse, bullying, body issues and grief.
Deputy Lowry called on the Government to provide more funding for children's services.
"Our children cannot wait," said Mr Lowry.
RESPONSE
Responding to Deputy Lowry, the Taoiseach outlined the significant investment that has been made in mental health services.
The Taoiseach also made particular reference to services in Tipperary.
"With regard to CAMHS reforms, the Deputy is particularly interested in the north Tipperary team, based in Nenagh and which also has clinics in Roscrea and Thurles. All service users in north Tipperary, but also those in south Tipperary requiring inpatient care are referred to Éist Linn in Cork.
"Jigsaw Tipperary, which is based in Thurles, opened in 2021 and currently has a waiting time of around four weeks to access a first appointment. I am glad to say this is currently the shortest waiting time in the State," said the Taoiseach.
But Mr Lowry said this is not enough to meet demand.
‘I know the services that operate in Tipperary. I meet these people on a regular basis, and they tell me that, despite the investment you refer to, the service is not meeting needs. There is still a huge shortage in terms of resources, particularly in relation to personnel," said Mr Lowry.
Mr Lowry asked that the INTO pre-budget submission be considered wherein they ask for a number of measures, including an increase to the National Educational Psychological Service and the reinstatement and expansion of the In-School and Early Years Therapy Support Demonstration Project.
They are also calling for on-site counselling to be provided in schools.
"Taoiseach, that this is a small price to pay for the mental wellbeing of our children. We have an obligation to protect them, but at present we are falling short of this responsibility. No child should be left waiting for professional mental health support," said Mr Lowry.
The Taoiseach replied by giving his assurance that Government would take the submission seriously.
"I assure the Deputy, that we will take the INTO submission very seriously. We certainly have done so down the years. The ideas and advice it gives to the Government have very often been taken up by the Government.
"It is not always possible to do everything we want to do in any one given year, but we can certainly do more over the years ahead. Again, I know the Minister, Deputy Foley, is very committed to improving psychological services in schools and has some ideas on that which we hope to advance, said the Taoiseach.