Senator Coghlan launches child mental health report

EARLY intervention in cases of children suffering mental ill-health is absolutely crucial, a new Oireachtas report highlights – one that was launched by Fine Gael Senator Paul Coghlan last week in his role as Chairperson of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee.

The report comes at a time of deep concern over waiting lists for children accessing primary care psychological assesments in the county. As of June, 225 children in Kerry were waiting for appointments, 50 of whom had been waiting for up to a year; a situation blasted by Fianna Fáil Cllr John Francis Flynn recently who said that some of the children required immediate intervention given the seriousness of their difficulties.

The importance of early intervention was highlighted to a great degree by the Oireachtas Report on Children’s Mental Health Services last week. “It was obvious from early on in the public consultation that early intervention is essential when a child is in crisis, as any delay in the provision of appropriate care can result in a child’s condition worsening.

“The evidence presented to the Committee showed that if we invest in early intervention, then we will make savings into the future as the number of crisis cases presenting will be reduced,” Senator Paul Coghlan said.