Figures released to Sinn Féin by the HSE through a Parliamentary Question have revealed extremely worrying wait times for Jigsaw; the mental health service which provides vital supports to young people. In Tipperary, there are currently 58 young people waiting for a first appointment. On average, young people in Tipperary are waiting for 10 weeks for a first appointment. This is an increase from 3 weeks in 2021.
Deputy Martin Browne has described the wait times are simply unacceptable saying they put those in need of help and their mental health at a very serious risk.
The Cashel based TD has urged the Minister for Health to urgently engage with the service to ensure adequate funding and resources are put in place to end the long waits. Deputy Browne noted that every expert in child and adolescent mental health supports early intervention to avoid enduring and worsening mental health in the future.