Teens In Mental Health Crisis Left Waiting Up To A Week For Care

Thursday, 17 April 2025 12:16

By Tara Flanagan

Hospitals lack resources to respond to rising demand, as calls grow for 24/7 youth mental health support

A new report from the Mental Health Commission has revealed that children in mental health crisis are waiting up to a week in emergency departments due to a lack of specialist care.

Around 51,000 people present in psychiatric distress for the first time each year, but many hospitals are not equipped to deal with such cases—especially out of hours.

The report highlights that 16- and 17-year-olds with severe mental health needs are often left waiting days and in some case up to a week in emergency wards, unable to access beds in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Over 1000 people per year used Naas General Hospital to access Mental Health Services through A&E.

The HSE says it’s working on a new crisis response pathway to improve access to care for young people, including 24/7 Camhs services.

CEO of the Mental Health Commission and Caragh resident John Farrelly spoke to Kildare Today this morning about the reform needed in our Accident and Emergency Services for Mental Health patients:

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