A government led by Sinn Féin has pledged to increase funding for mental health services in Ireland by an extra €250 million annually, and redesign the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Camhs) into a fresh model that includes individuals up to 25 years of age.
On Thursday, the party revealed its updated mental health strategy, which commits to providing universal counselling, prioritising mental health treatment at the primary care and community level, retaining crisis assessment nurses and consultant liaison psychiatrists in all emergency departments, and creating an all-island perinatal mental health unit for mothers and babies.
The strategy was declared by Mark Ward, the party’s mental health spokesman, together with finance spokesman Pearse Doherty, health spokesman David Cullinane, and education spokeswoman Sorca Clarke.
A fundamental aspect of the reformed policy is to dismantle Camhs, and substitute it with what has been characterised as an “integrated early intervention service for children and teenagers up to the age of 25”. The previous upper age boundary for Camhs was 18. Ward noted that without this change, those who turn 18 often find themselves not adequately catered for by Camhs.
The updated approach would incorporate the employment of 47 novel teams committed to the mental health services of younger individuals, 17 more teams dedicated to intellectually challenged individuals, 41 additional inpatient beds, and 20 teams with a focus on early psychosis intervention.
Speaking about the financial implications of the reformed policy, Doherty explained that the initial year would necessitate an added expenditure of €50 million, with yearly increases of €50 million as the programme develops, with an estimated extra requirement of €250 million each year by the fifth year (relative to 2024 figures).
The policy also provides extra beds for those with eating disorders, introduces a strategy to tackle isolation and loneliness, and initiates the reopening of Keltoi, a residential facility designed to accommodate people battling addiction as well as mental health problems. The policy insists on crisis cafes being present in all cities within the state.
Mr Ward expressed that the aspect of dual diagnosis is of great significance. “Individuals, diagnosed with both mental health issues and addiction often slip through the cracks. This document will legislate this, ensuring people receive appropriate care in the suitable place at the right time. This act will guarantee that no matter what avenue the person seeks help from, they will receive the respect they are entitled to”, he said.
Mr Cullinane mentioned that teenagers have often had to rely on emergency departments for mental health services. “This is not the right place for them. Many times, they are sent back home. This is incredibly distressing for their families and is primarily due to lack of primary and community care services,” he pointed out.