• Families for Reform of CAMHS is a family representative, advocacy and support group for families who are trying to access the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), currently with CAMHS or who have been discharged from CAMHS.

 

  • The group was set up in May 2023 and is made up of over 1,500 members. Our children are found in communities, groups and families across Ireland. Nobody knows if or when mental health challenges will occur, but we all hope that support will be available if we or our loved ones need it.

 

 

  • The Inspector of Mental Health Services, Dr Susan Finnerty, publicly stated at the time that she could not “provide an assurance to all parents or guardians in all parts of Ireland that their children have access to a safe effective, and evidence-based mental health service.” The concerns set out in last year’s reports are not new but were also raised in the Mental Health Commission’s 2017 report and the UN Committee’s 2016 report.

 

  • As a group, we have spoken in Leinster House numerous times to highlight the challenges and realities faced by families. We have contributed to radio shows, podcasts and articles to spread awareness of the battle that families have to undertake to try and access help for their child.   

 

  • We are now calling for meaningful action and urgent reform of CAMHS as a matter of priority.

 

 

**A big thank you to Sam O'Sullivan who very kindly designed our group's logo for us. And to Andrea Fitzpatrick for designing the writing used in the logo **

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