The latest data from the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) reveals a deeply troubling picture for children and adolescents mental health services with the service operating at "reduced capacity".

As of July 2024, 316 children and young people remain on the waiting list for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), despite a year of fluctuating demand.

According to the data, obtained by The Impartial Reporter in a Freedom of Information request, the highest waiting list so far this year was recorded in March 2024, with 434 children waiting for support, highlighting a system still struggling to cope with demand.

The most recent data indicates that the backlog has only slightly eased, with 372 children on the list by December 2023.

This alarming trend is a continuation of previous years, showing that despite efforts to tackle waiting times, children are still facing long delays for vital mental health services.

A spokeswoman for the Western Trust acknowledged the challenges their CAMHS services were facing but said the challenges were similar to other CMAHS regionally: "Whilst the Service meets Emergency and Urgent waiting times (the most vulnerable and high risk children and young people) it is challenged to meet routine access targets. 

"Western Trust CAMHS remains challenged with respect to recruitment, currently operating at reduced capacity. Recruitment challenges amplified by the close proximity to the Republic Of Ireland. Despite this, the Service has adopted creative and responsive ways of working in an attempt to meet these demands and mitigate risks. The service is aware that CAMHS staff continue to manage increased severity of illness and risk, greater complexity of presentations of children and young people, meaning longer treatment plans for young people. This is undoubtedly a reflection of the challenges young people and their families are facing daily. Levels of deprivation, poverty and debt contributing to poor emotional wellbeing and mental health issues. CAMHS Clinicians aim is to deliver timely, responsive, compassionate care to the children, young people and their families in receipt of CAMHS care.

"Western Trust CAMHS continues to work in partnership with the Department of Health regarding waiting times/access to service and ensuring positive outcomes for young people in receipt of the Service."

Figures from 2022 reveal just how serious and long-standing the problem is.

Over the course of that year, CAMHS received a total of 2,411 referrals for mental health services for children and young people. October 2022 saw the highest number of referrals, with 278 children and young people seeking help, while the month of August recorded the lowest, with just 129 referrals.

But the issue isn’t just about the number of referrals. The waiting lists have been consistently high, with an average of 453 children waiting for care each month throughout 2022.

The most alarming figure came at the start of the year, in January 2022, when a staggering 567 children were on the waiting list.

Even though this number dropped to 363 by December, the overall backlog remained a significant problem.

CAMHS services were under immense pressure throughout 2022, with staff dealing with a total of 8,526 activities across the year. These activities, which include assessments, interventions, and follow-up care, peaked in October, with 889 recorded activities, showing just how stretched the service was during the busiest periods.

The quietest month was July, with 554 activities, but this still represented a significant workload.

Long waiting lists have severe implications for children and young people, particularly those facing mental health crises. When early intervention is delayed, the mental health of these young individuals can deteriorate further, leading to more complex issues that are harder to treat.

In many cases, children can wait months for an initial assessment, during which time their condition may worsen.

As of mid-2024, the situation remains concerning.

The highest waiting list recorded so far this year was in March 2024, with 434 children waiting for services.

By July 2024, there were still 316 children waiting, showing that while there has been a slight improvement, the service is still far from resolving the crisis.

These numbers follow a concerning trend from 2023, where December ended with 372 children waiting, despite attempts to bring the list down throughout the year.

The data reveals a system that is under considerable pressure, with demand for mental health services far exceeding the capacity of the WHSCT to meet it.

Over the course of the last two years, referrals have remained consistently high, while waiting lists have fluctuated, with no consistent downward trend.

The figures raise serious questions about the future of CAMHS services in the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

Without increased funding and resources, the backlog of children waiting for mental health care is unlikely to improve. There is a growing call for urgent government intervention to ensure that CAMHS can meet the rising demand and reduce the unacceptably long waiting lists.

Without substantial investment in staffing and resources, the waiting lists are likely to remain stubbornly high, leaving vulnerable young people without the care they need.

Families and mental health professionals alike are calling for urgent action before more children are forced to wait in desperation for the help that could change their lives.

On funding for CAMHS in the Trust area, the spokeswoman explained that the Emotional Health & Wellbeing Framework funding allocation in 2022/2023 saw the establishment of the CAMHS Emotional Health & Wellbeing Team in School project (EHWTS).

"The DOH/DOE jointly published the Children & Young Persons Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education Framework in 2021. This has supported an innovative CAMHS led regional response to maximizing prevention efforts by supporting all those working in educational settings to help promote emotional wellbeing, promote positive mental health , strengthen self-esteem and resilience in our children in Northern Ireland.

"Understanding of CAMHS referral pathways and threshold criteria is a key component of the educative component of the Emotional Wellbeing practitioner’s role to the wider network.

In the first year of this project nine secondary schools received support from the EHWTS in the Western Trust which included 2491 pupils and 436 teachers attending workshops on a specific area identified by them as being a need in supporting their own/their pupil’s emotional health and well-being. 14 post-primary schools will now receive support and intervention from the CAMHS EHWTS in schools in the 2nd year of this pilot programme.

"Recurrent funding through the Delivering Care Framework supporting the provision of high quality care which is safe and effective for the Nursing and Midwifery workforce saw the appointment of a CAMHS Consultant Nurse. This aims to enhance existing operational and professional nursing structures within Western Trust CAMHS," the spokeswoman continued.

"The Department of Health Mental Health Strategy aims at increasing CAMHS allocation of the overall Northern Ireland regional mental health budget from a 6 per cent share to a 10 per cent share.

"Western Trust CAMHS are part of the Regional Acute CAMHS Managed Care Network. One of the key roles for the Acute CAMHS MCN is to support the development of a regionally consistent Step 4 Crisis Response/ Home treatment (High Intensity) services. The publication of the NI Mental Health Strategy has established this as the key strategic driver in taking this work forward. A number of actions within the Acute CAMHS MCN are being addressed through this Mental Health Strategy work."