Youth Mental Health Task Force is a welcome step
Earlier today in the Dáil Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin called on the Tánaiste to provide an update on when the Youth Mental Health Task Force will be set up.
Labour Youth welcomes the news that the government will make an announcement next week on the formation of the Task Force.
The ISPCC report released today underlines the difficulties young people face in accessing mental health services. The report states that in some cases children are waiting as long as 18 months for referral to a child psychologist.
Labour Youth would like to see the extension of free Counselling in Primary Care services to all 16-25 year olds, who are the most likely group to require urgent mental health intervention. The introduction of a permanent mental health awareness and advertising programme would help promote a more positive attitude in society towards supporting people with mental health difficulties.
Labour Youth hopes that the Youth Mental Health Task Force helps to address the growing problem of young people suffering from mental health issues and not being able to access sufficient supports.