Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their detailed presentation which I found very informative. As a Deputy, many people come into my constituency office with mental health issues and find they are not able to cope. I find many complaints about the CAMHS, child and adolescent mental health service. It is because it is reactive rather than proactive. I am concerned about families and other siblings when there is a problem with a child. The knock-on effect can be catastrophic. What supports should I advise a family to avail of in such cases? I have often found myself floundering and making calls to the HSE or organisations, such as Jigsaw or SOSAD Ireland, Save Our Sons and Daughters.

I come from an educational background and taught for 12 years. There is a need for NEPS input and I am glad it is there. How are those psychologists coping with a caseload of 24 schools? It would strike me that there is an urgent need to increase the number of psychologists in order to have more effective intervention, as well as to take some strain away from them who are only human.

I am delighted third level students were mentioned as I have concerns about that group too. I met with the USI only last week. I was aware when I was education spokesperson for Sinn Féin that there are long waiting lists for students at crisis point in third level institutions to see counsellors.

I know recruitment to increase the number of psychologists needs to be addressed first. Does NEPS have any plans to roll out a service where the colleges and universities can avail of some level of support? We need to tackle all levels of society. When considering education, we need to include third level in that.