Children's Commissioner calls for better services in mental health

Children who suffer from mental health problems should not be referred to Mount Carmel Hospital for treatment but to an acute hospital, Children's Commissioner Helen D'Amato said yesterday. Between 10 and 20 per cent of children and youths are thought...

Children who suffer from mental health problems should not be referred to Mount Carmel Hospital for treatment but to an acute hospital, Children's Commissioner Helen D'Amato said yesterday.

Between 10 and 20 per cent of children and youths are thought to suffer from a variety of mental problems ranging from anxiety and depression to autism and schizophrenia. These children were being marginalised because of lack of community care, said Mrs D' Amato.

Children who needed treatment should not be institutionalised in psychiatric units at Mount Carmel.

"They should be treated at Mater Dei to then leave immediately - just like any other person who is sick - and continue living their daily lives," she said.

However, she acknowledged that the facilities needed for this to happen were lacking. She called for regular auditing of the social services available to identify the strengths and weaknesses and urged the government to have the courage to fill in the gaps where needed.

Mrs D'Amato was speaking during a conference organised by the Education Ministry's national implementing body  in connection with activities linked to the European year of fighting poverty and social exclusion. The education sector had an important role to play in identifying children who suffered from mental health problems, she said, adding that even here more services were needed.

She stressed the importance of prevention and early diagnosis, which could even be done by school teachers.

"We have to be proactive and it's a pity that children suffering from mental health problems are not given the support and advice needed."

Children's Commissioner calls for better services in mental health

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