Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise the issue of youth mental health. A survey carried out by Headstrong under the auspices of Dr. Barbara Dooley from UCD has found that one in three young people has experienced mental health problems. This is serious. This significant survey of over 14,000 teenagers and young adults found that many young people who had engaged in harmful drinking behaviour or been classed as alcohol dependent sustained a significantly higher element of mental stress. Some 7% of young adults reported a suicide attempt. This is alarming. Dr. Dooley has said that we must see youth mental health as a national priority. It is a priority. I read a report from Pieta House some time ago and it has seen a 93% increase in referrals to it this year of young people for self harm. This is and should be a priority.

I am calling for the Minister for Health to come to the House to discuss this. Perhaps the debate could be linked with the issue raised by Senator Colm Burke. The Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government should come together and we could have some joined up thinking on this. The report found that if everybody had one supportive adult, it would not cost the earth to put something in place that would ensure young people had someone to talk to. I call on the Minister for Health to produce a policy for youth mental health. It is a national issue and emergency and we need to do something about it. I call for the Minister come to the House to make a statement on the issue.