Teen who took own life was on waiting list for psychiatrist for three months

A DEEPLY troubled teenage girl who took her own life at 15 was on a waiting list for three months to see a psychiatrist at the time of her death.

A review of how the girl, called Niamh, was cared for by social services is one of three reports from an independent panel published by Tusla.

“The death of a child is an unthinkable tragedy and one which affects families, friends and communities,” Dr Helen Buckley, chair of the panel, said. She warned that lessons needed to be learned to ensure that children receive timely, appropriate and co-ordinated responses.

“One of the reports highlights the lacuna that exists where young people who are suicidal, with addiction and behavioural issues, are not considered eligible for a mental health service.

“This service gap has been identified many times by the panel and needs urgent attention from the HSE and the Department of Health.”

Two other children’s deaths investigated involved sudden death syndrome, including a baby born with traces of cannabis and cocaine in his system.

The review of Niamh was told she lived with her mother, after her parents split up.

She came into contact with the services at 14 because her behaviour was causing concern; she had an older boyfriend and was found under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

“She also had some health problems and a history of self-harm. At the time of her referral to Tusla services, she had already been involved with Garda Juvenile Liaison Services for nine months and had been sporadically attending an addiction service on the recommendation of her juvenile liaison officer (JLO).

“It was noted that her mother was very concerned about her welfare and open to support from services.”

It said: “Niamh subsequently left school without permission and was later arrested for assault.

“Services, including an allocated Tusla social worker, here called Social Worker 1, continued to support her and for a period she seemed to make progress and engage well. However, she was once again arrested because of drunken behaviour and fighting.”

Assessment

A year after her referral to social services Niamh was still the subject of concern but reluctant to engage with services on a consistent basis.

She was keen to attend Youthreach but was still too young for the programme.

She attended the local hospital with her mother for a psychiatric assessment – where she was found be having paranoid thoughts but no active suicidal ideation or intent to self-harm. She was put on a waiting list for CAMHS, the child psychiatric service.

Over the following weeks, the social worker had difficulty trying to contact the family but network checks indicated Niamh was doing fairly well.

She had been charged with outstanding offences and was due a court hearing. Sadly, Niamh took her own life three months later.