Psychiatrists propose reforms to enhance child mental health services

Psychiatrists in Ireland are proposing major changes to improve mental health services for children and young adults. These services, known as CAMHS, have faced serious issues, including reports of harm from improper treatment and long waiting lists. The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland launched a new model for how CAMHS teams should be organized. The proposal suggests that each team should be led by a specialist consultant. They also want dedicated training for staff to ensure high standards of care. Dr. Patricia Byrne, who leads the faculty of child and adolescent psychiatry, raised concerns about hiring challenges. She said the current pay and staffing strategy has made it hard to recruit new professionals. Despite some increases in staffing in hospitals, CAMHS teams remain understaffed. Dr. Byrne highlighted that a report from the Mental Health Commission found overall shortages in staffing and resources. This has led to inconsistent care for children with serious mental health issues. Without changes, she warned that many young people will continue to wait for help, and burnout among staff will increase. The Irish government plans to reform mental healthcare through a new bill, but some psychiatrists are worried about its details. The bill promises to provide more funding and regulation for CAMHS services. In the latest budget, funding for mental health services was increased to nearly €1.5 billion for 2025.