Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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I have come across many children who are in distress for many reasons. However, they do not necessarily need the services of CAMHS. They do not need a psychiatric service; they need a much more supportive service. However, CAMHS tends to be the catch-all for everyone in distress, which then blocks appointments and places for people who are in genuine need. Is there a way to direct people to a more appropriate service other than CAMHS? Talk therapy is generally what these adolescents need. Unfortunately, however, talk therapy is very difficult to get. That also goes into adult psychiatry. Owing to a lack of talk therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, occupational therapy and all the other therapies to help people with mental illness, the prescription pad is the easy way out. I believe a considerable amount of unnecessary medication is prescribed because the other support services are not available. How can we address that?