Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As young people are leaving the Gallery, I tell them I am delighted they have come here as their presence is apt to my comments. I presume they are approximately 15 years old. I will make a comment to Members while the students are present. Yesterday, a press release announced a 165% increase in young people self-harming who attend Pieta House. I am not here to advocate for Pieta House, although I am its founder, but rather to speak about the limits and gaps in service for the Health Service Executive and the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. I was also approached by a couple yesterday on my way in who were parents of a 17 year old boy who was refused any help whatever on a Friday evening in one of our hospitals because he was too young. If he had gone to the children's hospital, he would have been too old to be seen. This is where these students or almost grown-up adults are facing a future in our country. We have a terrible system, but with the help of young people, we can get it moving and working in order that people in distress can get help when they need it.