That's according to Cork Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire who has called on the Health Minister to urgently address the long waiting times for children and young people in Cork accessing mental health services.
The Cork South Central TD was speaking during a debate of Sinn Féin's motion to protect children and fix children's mental health services, which was passed in the Dáil last night.
Speaking in the Dail Deputy O'Laoighaire says the reports from South Kerry CAMHS are deeply alarming and the stuff of nightmares for parents and families:
"It's vitally important that this CAMHs review happens swiftly and that it takes in the whole country and that it takes a very broad view. We all wonder I suppose, wonder whether there could be similar issues in other parts of the country. In general, there is a feeling out there that our mental health services are inadequate. In my own constituency, there's 258 people waiting for cams, appointments. 104 waiting over six months and 14 young people are waiting over a year. Now that's without even addressing whether the care that they're getting is adequate."
