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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Children in adult psychiatric units

Summary

Senator Freeman raised concerns about children being admitted to adult psychiatric units and the wider double standards in mental health care.

I remind the House once more of the double standards in the treatment of physical health problems and mental health issues. By the time the third or fourth week of January comes around, we have often forgotten the new year's resolutions made at the start of the month. I have not forgotten my resolution to continue to tell the House, on the Order of Business in 2017, about some of the realities facing children in the treatment of mental health issues on a daily basis. I will focus on the admission of children to adult psychiatric units. Senators will be aware that I introduced a Bill in November 2016 to prevent this practice from continuing, but they probably do not know that the main reason for the practice is the unavailability of an out-of-hours service for children. In other words, no mental health services are available for children after 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday and all day at the weekend. After 5 p.m. on a Friday children who are in trouble will either be placed in an adult psychiatric unit or left to handle their own issues with their families. Senators might recall that before Christmas three young people in County Cork took their own lives. There has been a suggestion the reason behind these suicides was the absence of 24/7 treatment. When are we going to realise crises do not stop at 5 p.m? In this country many suicides are attempted at the weekend, particularly on a Sunday. In November the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, launched a campaign in which she committed to providing increased out-of-hours services for children. I wonder where she is with this. To where is the €15 million, not the €35 million, provided for in 2017 being allocated? I would like the Leader to ask the Minister of State to report to the House immediately on the progress being made in the implementation of this service. I would also like the Minister of State to clarify whether 24/7 treatment facilities will be available at Portrane.

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