There has been an increase in the number of children and teenagers accessing mental health services. The fifth annual report from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) says the number of new cases were up 11%, while referrals were up 21%.
It also showed that 2,500 young people were on a waiting list for the service up to September of last year. Young people with ADHD made up most of the case load, followed by depression and anxiety disorders.
The report finds that of the 9,616 new cases seen, 16% of these were 16 years of age and over. This was an increase of 40% compared with the previous year.
It says that children aged 15 years were the most likely to be attending CAMHS, followed by the 16/17-year-olds.
17,116 children under 18 years availed of the services
In the course of the month of November 2012, a total of 8,577 people were seen. 89.2% of these were returns and 10.8% were new.
While 50% of all new cases over this period were seen within one month of referral, with 71% seen within 3 months.
Waiting lists themselves grew 24% from the total number waiting at the end of September 2012.
In launching the report, Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch said "The increasing service demands reflected in this Report, together with the evidence based good outcomes of early CAMHS intervention, reinforces my commitment to ensure that the best use is made of additional investment by this government for our mental health services, particularly those relating to children and adolescents and planned expansion for community-based CAMHS services".
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Dr. Brendan Doody, says the number of children being admitted to adult facilities is falling.
