Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has supported the Families for Reform of CAMHS call for the urgent implementation of the Mental Health Commission’s 49 recommendations, and for the end to discrimination of children with intellectual disabilities in mental health services.
 
Teachta Ward was speaking today following the group’s contribution at the Oireachtas Committee on Health.
 
The Dublin Mid-West TD said:
 
“I want to commend Families for Reform of CAMHS for their contribution today at the Oireachtas Committee on Health today.
 
“Families for Reform of CAMHS are a relatively new group of parents whose children have not been receiving adequate care from CAMHS. They now have over 800 members.
 
“They have called for the urgent implementation of the Mental Health Commission’s 49 recommendations for CAMHS, which were made following a thorough investigation into services around the State.
 
“We have seen waiting lists for first time appointments for CAMHS peak at over 4,400 children last year in the midst of this report being carried out. Parents and young people are being let down.
 
“Families for Reform of CAMHS have also highlighted the discrimination that young people with intellectual disabilities are facing when seeking CAMHS supports.
 
“They report that 85% of their members with a child with a diagnosis of autism have been negatively impacted when being referred to CAMHS, often being turned back to children’s disability network teams (CDNTs).
 
“The Mental Health Commission’s recommendations would improve CAMHS delivery and the quality of care for those that are currently being turned away.
 
“Sinn Féin’s legislation to regulate CAMHS under the Mental Health Act 2001, would give statutory powers to the Mental Health Commission, allowing them to oversee the implementation of their recommendations.
 
“I am calling on TDs from all parties and none to support this legislation and to deliver the change needed for all families in need of CAMHS supports.”