Leitrim faces ‘total absence’ of CAMHS services

The lack of support available by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) was highlighted at a meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District.

Cllr James Gilmartin requested that the MD contact Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health, Mary Butler, to outline serious concerns regarding the “total absence” of services in CAMHS within the Leitrim/East Sligo/West Cavan region.

Cllr Gilmartin shared the case of a family whose child was referred to CAMHS by a GP but could not even be placed on a waiting list.

Locally, the service lacks a clinical lead, preventing a significant number of children from being put on the waiting list and accessing care.

The family were advised to go to the emergency department if their child’s mental health deteriorated. 

PICTURES: Spacious fixer upper with huge potential hits Leitrim market

For sale by live online auction on Thursday, May 29 at 2:30 unless previously sold

“It’s completely unacceptable and there’s numerous people throughout the area going through this problem,” Cllr Gilmartin said.

Cllr Felim Gurn pointed out, that despite a national mental health budget of €27 billion, only €13 million was allocated to Sligo-Leitrim, a figure he strongly criticised. 

Cllr Justin Warnock noted that the lack of a clinical lead places “ferocious pressure on families and needs to be dealt with.”

It was agreed that the MD will contact the HSE to request a discussion on the CAMHS situation. 

Additionally, a letter will be sent to Minister Mary Burke, emphasising the absence of clinical need in Leitrim and the urgent need to provide support to the most vulnerable individuals.

READ MORE: Leitrim among five counties with biggest rise in property prices, report shows