Page 6 - Irish Examiner USA

newsexaminer
6

Barnardos Warns Of Over 500
2019 20,000 Mental Health Appointments For Children Families Waiting For Their Help

11th, And Adolescents Were Unattended In 2018

of Child and
December 10%M e n t a l for cancelled or unattended one more person at least get-
Adolescent
appointments.
ting in there."
"There are months, if not
Independent Senator Joan
people and I just think that all
unattended last year.
Pieta House - says there can
| Health appointments were years, of waiting lists for some Freeman - a former CEO of
often be a number of reasons
of these appointments that are
That is according to figures
EXAMINER obtained by Newstalk through just going by the wayside with why people do not attend.
people just not bothering to
a Freedom of Information
"There are people who ring
up and try to cancel an
ring up, it would shorten the
request from the HSE.
It means people did not
IRISH attend over 20,000 CAMHS waiting lists," said one mother appointment and they can't Barnardos has over 500 families waiting for their help
get through, they could be
who has used the CAMHS
appointments in 2018.
phoning for ages," said Ms
service.
The HSE does not keep "It might only be a small Freeman. around the country.
The charity launched its Christmas donations appeal to
records of registered reasons amount but it could still be "Then, they get a letter say- help more than 17,700 children and families last week.
ing that you did not appear, Donations can be made online and they will go to families
you did not attend. in need this Christmas time.
"But you have got to realise Mary Gamble, Director of Fundraising at Barnardos, says
that when someone looks for
an appointment, they may not consistent funding is necessary to keep the service going.
“There are 500 families at the moment that we know we
get seen for months or for cannot get to because we don’t have the funding,” said Ms
years and at that stage the Gamble.
chances are that something “Some of the services that do have waiting lists for exam-
has happened - they have
moved on, they have gone to a ple are children’s bereavement service which has a ten-month
waiting list.
private source or the crisis “That is the heartbreaking thing and that is really why we
might have passed. really do need so much support financially to try and get to
"Now that still doesn't give the children that we’re not getting to.
anybody the right not to can- “That is the worry for us this Christmas.” C
cel." C
President Recalls True Meaning Of
Christmas As Tree Lights Lit At Áras
President Michael D Higgins reached out to migrants as
the Christmas Tree Lights were switched on last Saturday at
Áras an Úachtaráin.
President Higgins extended good wishes to Irish emigrants
abroad, as well as remembering the “new Irish community”
trying to recreate family traditions in their new homeland.
President Higgins said it was important to remember the
core meaning of Christmas - offering shelter, and a welcome
to strangers in need of refuge - saying that people need to
stand in solidarity with all those across the world who are
forced to leave their homes in search of a life free from fear
and danger.
He said it was a challenging time for those depending on
the kindness of others as they celebrate Christmas in a new
country, and a new home.
He also urged those present to extend their thoughts to
emigrants who can’t make it home for Christmas, including
members of the Irish Defense Forces abroad, and to those
working at home to keep people safe and well - the Gardaí,
fire service and medical staff.
The President also paid tribute to the bereaved who are
finding this Christmas difficult, and to those who are home-
less, marginalized, vulnerable, sick, lonely, sad or worried this
Christmas. C