THE length of time young people have to wait for an appointment for a mental health service in Limerick has almost doubled in one year.
HSE information provided to a Limerick TD by way of Parliamentary Question puts the wait for a first appointment with the Jigsaw youth mental health service at 19 weeks – an increase from 11 weeks in 2021.
There are currently 187 young people waiting for a first appointment.
The TD who asked the question, Sinn Féin’s Maurice Quinlivan, said the increase in waiting times for the Jigsaw youth mental health service is “extremely worrying” and he urged the government to act as a matter of priority.
Deputy Quinlivan has called on the Minister for Health to urgently engage with the service to provide a solution and ensure young people can get mental health supports without unnecessary delays.
“Every expert in child and adolescent mental health will tell you that early intervention is absolutely vital in avoiding enduring and worsening problems in the future.”
“A nearly five months wait period for a child in Limerick to receive their first appointment is just not good enough. A mental health concern is a health concern and like most health concerns, it is crucial that a diagnosis is provided at the earliest opportunity.”
“Yet, these figures reveal that if a child or young person seeks out care, they are likely going to be faced with extended waiting periods. These wait times are simply unacceptable and put those in need of help and their mental health at a very serious risk.”
Deputy Quinlivan added: “Behind every number is a young person who needs help and should have access to services in a timely way. This cry for help from our young people cannot fall on deaf ears. Children and young people in Limerick deserve better. We need to move away from the postcode lottery for mental health treatment.
“I am urging the Minister to urgently engage with the service to ensure this is resolved. We must see adequate funding and resources put in place to end these long waits.”
After being contacted by the Limerick Post, a spokesperson for Jigsaw said “we won’t be making a public response and are engaging with the Minister on this matter”
