Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and acknowledge that today is “Hello, how are you?” day. Mental health is a very topical issue. I do not have as much time as I would like to discuss it. Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting the Minister of State in Castlerea, County Roscommon for the launch of the Discovery College at the CAMHS Connect unit in Castlerea, which promotes positive mental health and well-being in young people while facilitating prevention and early intervention. The real message behind the provision of this new service is that everybody is equal. Traditionally, support was provided to 14- to 17-year-olds but the new service means that they do not just fall off the cliff at the end of that time. Support is now provided for 18- to 25-year-olds. The programme is very welcome and I hope it can be expanded in the very near future, during the term of this Government.

When it comes to CAMHS and CAMHS Connect, the one thing I do not want to hear about, specifically across the west of Ireland, is a staff embargo. I do not want to hear about that because mental health is too important an issue for a lack of staffing to hold back its development and prevent people getting the treatment they deserve and are entitled to. CAMHS Connect looks at emotional, behavioural and mental health supports. The young people in our society deserve those supports.

I would like my colleagues to acknowledge the Darkness into Light walks that took place nationwide last weekend and gave people an opportunity to talk about an issue that is often not spoken about. I compliment the groups in Roscommon town, Castlerea and Strokestown, where thousands of people came out to support an issue that has hit every rural community in the west of Ireland and nationally. I hope that having this conversation here will lead to the provision of additional supports to all those local areas.