Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2015
18. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the holistic and alternative therapies that are being incorporated into the treatment of children's mental health within State services; and if the Government is actively promoting the use of these types of therapies for children. [14463/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe agreed HSE Service Plan 2015 aims to support the population, including children, to achieve optimal mental health, and otherwise promote positive mental health as detailed in the Executive's Operational Plan for this care programme. In particular, a key priority is to progress integrated, evidence-based and recovery focussed models of care for mental heath services.
The Executive supports timely access to appropriate services to address the mental health needs of all children from a preventative care model and early intervention perspective. It should be noted, however, that mental health problems are not the sole remit of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Like adults with mental health problems, most children and adolescents will have these problems responded to at primary care level.
The Vision for Change policy recommends a consultation/liaison model between primary care and mental health services to improve communication and coordination between the two. The Mental Health Division of 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 secondary care service to those referred to it.
A number of other important service improvements are also being progressed by the HSE Mental Health Division with a view to promoting, encouraging and fostering the development of robust preventative initiatives and quality mental health services for all children and adolescents, including;
- A proposal to support and enhance further access to psychological therapies (psychology and counselling) in primary care for young people who would otherwise be referred to CAMHS.
- In partnership with Túsla, co-sponsoring research with NUI Maynooth which is aimed at developing innovative research, building capacity, promoting inter-agency integration, with a view to developing family-focused mental health services.
It should also be noted that the provision of health and personal social services by the HSE are, by their nature, holistic to varying degrees and the concept of a holistic approach across many services is well embedded in HSE provision. In this context, the issues raised by the Deputy would also be a matter for consideration by the health professionals involved at operational level, taking account of matters such as quality and safety, the assessed need of individuals or other relevant therapeutic requirements. Such consideration is undertaken on an individual basis as part of an overall approach tailored to the affective care and treatment of an individual.
