A Vision for Change recognises a ‘pivotal role’ for primary care in providing mental health services. The policy assigns a key role to GPs for access to specialist mental health services. GPs can detect and diagnose mental health difficulties and either treat the individual or refer him/her to other professionals within primary care or to specialist services, based on identified need. The policy recommends a consultation/liaison model between primary care and mental health services, and the HSE has actively progressed communication and integration between primary and secondary mental health services through the use of a “Stepped Care” approach. Psychological and other relevant supports are accessed in primary care in the first instance, with CAMHS providing a specialist secondary care service to those referred to it.
Primary Care services are usually the first point of contact for children and adolescents when problems initially present, where those with mild to moderate presentations are seen by Psychologists in the service. They are not usually associated with significant risk of harm, unless there is a rapid deterioration or a crisis occurs. The availability of Early Intervention Services within Primary Care ensures timely and appropriate intervention.
In line with the commitment to develop early intervention services for those under 18, €5 million has been allocated to recruit 114 Assistant Psychologists in primary care. This will enhance the primary care response and help to reduce waiting lists for child and adolescent mental health services. Recruitment arrangements for these posts are currently being finalised by the HSE in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Expenditure and Reform.
The HSE Mental Health Division currently employs approximately 213 Psychologists with 67 of these operating within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. A further 60 psychology students participate as members of community based mental health teams providing services to children and adults. In addition, the HSE currently funds a number of agencies to provide a variety of counselling services to young people. This includes 10 existing Jigsaw sites nationally together with further planned expansion of this service for 2017 with two additional sites in both Cork and Dublin and a further site in Limerick.
In conclusion very significant efforts are underway to expand access and I am satisfied that good progress is being made to deliver improved and more consistent mental health services for young people, reflecting the significant resources provided by this Government in this area.
