A Donegal county councillor is calling on the HSE to streamline the transition of support for teenagers in the CAMHS process when they turn 18 years old.
Councillor Gerry McMonagle said the HSE needs to “drill down” on signposting children to adult mental health services.
Speaking at this week’s meeting of the Regional Health Forum West, Cllr McMonagle said he was approached by parents of a young adult who was in the CAMHS process.
The teen, he said, was “given good support”.
“Since they have become an adult recently that support has not been there. They were not aware of the transition or given any signposting,” Cllr McMonagle said, querying how information is passed on to families.
In response, Amanda Doyle, Head of Service Primary Care CHO1, said a specific response will be arranged for the young person in question.
Cllr McMonagle was told that CAMHS services within Donegal Mental Health Service have a Transition of Care policy.
“This policy provides a clear framework to safeguard continuity of care, minimise disruption at a critical developmental stage, and ensure that only those with significant ongoing needs transition to adult services,” a statement said.
Cllr McMonagle was told that not all young people in CAMHS will require transition or referral to Adult Mental Health Services upon reaching eighteen years of age. Where transfer of care is not clinically indicated, the young person will be directed or referred to appropriate community-based supports in accordance with their individual care needs.
Cllr McMonagle said that, from talking to professionals, some say there is no signpost service.
“We need to drill down on this,” he said. “People in need of mental health support who have been in CAMHS for a number of years, who have suicidal ideations, need to be assured that their support will continue when they reach 18 years of age.”
Concerns over lack of signposting for teens moving from CAMHS to adult mental health services was last modified: September 26th, 2025 by Rachel McLaughlin
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