School-based social workers key to tackling youth mental health– Murphy

School-based social workers could play a key role in supporting the well-being of our young people, a Fine Gael General Election Candidate for Wexford has said.

Councillor Bridín Murphy, a Wexford based social worker, said: “We are witnessing a mental health crisis developing among our young people, and it’s clear that we need to rethink how we provide services for them.

“While I welcome the recent increase in funding for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) in the latest budget, it’s important that we also focus on preventative measures.

“Access to social workers in school could serve as a crucial link between schools, students, families, and the wider community, supporting young people in overcoming challenges that may impede their academic success and overall well-being.

“CAMHS should be dedicated to responding to acute mental health crises, but due to the lack of community-based approaches, children who do not require CAMHS-level intervention are being referred because there is nowhere else for them to go.

“This is putting enormous pressure on CAMHS and resulting in long waitlists for young people who are in real need of urgent care. This situation is unsustainable, and we must act now to relieve this pressure.

“Simply put, school-based social workers can intervene early, providing support for issues like low-lying anxiety, and working directly with families to put the necessary supports in place.

“This would help reduce the need for CAMHS referrals and ultimately ease pressure on our mental health services, allowing CAMHS to focus on acute cases.

“School-based social workers are already used in around fifty countries worldwide, and it’s time for Ireland to seriously consider adopting this model.

“The potential impact of these professionals is immense. Having someone based in our schools, where children spend so much of their time, would help break down the stigma surrounding mental health and normalise accessing support within communities.

“By integrating mental health support directly into the school environment, we can create a supportive culture that promotes positive mental health outcomes for our young people.” Councillor Murphy concluded.