Over 1 thousand children are currently on a waiting list for mental health services in the Shannonside Northern Sound region.
According to data provided to the Irish Independent, the CHO8 area, incorporating Longford and Westmeath has the second highest number of children waiting nationally.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services provides assessment and treatment for young people and their families who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
The latest report from the HSE shows that the CHO8 area, which includes Longford and Westmeath, has one of the highest number of children on the waiting list for the service at 656.
CHO1, which includes Leitrim, Cavan, and Monaghan currently has 367 on the waiting list
While CHO2, including Galway and Roscommon has the lowest number of children waiting at 288.
The longest waiting list in the country is in Kerry and Cork at 976.
Nationally there are over 4 thousand children waiting to access CAHMS across all CHO areas.
