Suicidal children in Cork and Kerry are waiting more than 50 days to be seen by mental health services.
A recent report by CAMHS shows that 6 consultant positions are vacant across Cork and Kerry and are being covered from consultants outside the area.
Some children are being treated online by a consultant psychiatrist who is based in Qatar.
Almost four and a half thousand children are waiting for CAMHS appointments nationally with 902 of those in Cork and Kerry and it's reported that parents have been "begging" for appointments.
John Farrelly, CEO of the Mental Health Commission, believes CAMHS can be turned around:
"We have written to the Minister, to the Department and to the HSE. There are 49 recommendations which we've put in place can really ameliorate the issues that have been found. We're also asking that a strategy is put in place for CAMHS and for youth mental health services, and we're also asking that CAMHS is regulated. If these steps are put in place, we'd be confident that we can rebuild CAMHS and make sure that comes as effective throughout Ireland.
