Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In his annual report for 2017 the Ombudsman for Children identified as a key issue the lack of access to emergency mental health services for suicidal young people and indicated that the inability of the HSE and Tusla to act to ensure this deficit was addressed was "a stark failure". When young people are self-harming and in danger of suicide, we should be very grateful that they can be identified as such.At that juncture, they need professional help. It is overwhelming for young people and their families if they cannot access appropriate mental health services. In respect of community health organisation area 4, which covers Mayo, Roscommon and Galway, I have already identified that the child and adolescent mental health services have only 53% of the staff they need. We have inadequate services for young people experiencing eating disorders who are in a critical situation. Cases have been brought to my attention and I have highlighted them. I have asked that the Minister responsible come to the House for a debate. We must find a path to addressing the shortcomings and inadequate staffing levels in the child and adolescent mental health services. This is really important for our young people. It is very unfortunate that we are seeing the incidence of eating disorders rising. Families need somewhere to turn. If our health services cannot provide that, it is devastating. People are living from day to day and sometimes from hour to hour, wondering how they are going to be helped. I think we can do things better notwithstanding difficulties in recruitment. We need a plan of action and the matter needs to be given urgent attention. I ask the Leader that the Minister be brought to the House. The matter has been highlighted by the Ombudsman for Children today.