Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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707. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she and her Department have studied the issue of depression in young persons with particular reference to the identification of early alert and-or subsequent support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7448/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Growing Up in Ireland, The National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland, which is almost wholly sponsored by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, collects some data broadly related to the mental health of children and young people. I note that recent data published from the study found that just under 10% of 17/18 year olds said that had been diagnosed with depression or anxiety by a doctor.

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020)recognises that mental health is an important issue, and an essential aspect of children and young people’s social and cognitive development, as well as a necessity if they are going to reach their full potential and truly live a life filled with positive experiences.

The first of the five national outcomes is that all children and young people should be active and healthy, with physical and mental well-being. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures contains a number of specific commitments in the area of mental health. The Department of Health is responsible for this national outcome.

The National Youth Strategy, a constituent strategy of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, also includes commitments identified by young people themselves, such as access to online youth mental health services.

With reference to policy and practice in the area of mental health, I note that this falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health.

The HSE supports timely access to appropriate services to address the mental health needs of all children from a preventative care model and early intervention perspective. The HSE Service Plan 2017 also contains various commitments to support positive mental health measures to support young people ranging from publicity campaigns such as the littlethingscampaign to better and more integrated early intervention counselling services at statutory and non-statutory levels.

Any parent who suspects his/her child may be suffering from mental health issues should bring their child to their local GP who will in turn refer the child to the appropriate Mental Health Services, Primary Care or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The HSE has a Standard Operating Procedure for both in-patient and community based CAMHS. This should help to ensure that services are delivered consistently and transparently. Most importantly, it helps to ensure that the care and treatment offered reflects the identified clinical needs of the child. However, not all mental health problems are the sole remit of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, depending on the nature and severity of the health need, support services may be also provided by HSE Primary Care or through Tusla.