The number of children being refused access to mental health services following a referral in the Shannonside Northern Sound region is continuing to increase.
New HSE data shows that the Galway-Roscommon-Mayo area has the highest refusal rate locally.
The latest analysis carried out by the Irish Independent shows a continuing increase in the number of children being refused access to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
The CHO8 area, incorporating Roscommon currently has a 42% refusal rate, an increase from 35% last year.
31% of children referred to CAHMS in the Leitrim, Monaghan, and Cavan area have been refused this year, compared to 28% in 2022.
While the HSE area which includes Longford and Westmeath has a 40% refusal rate this year, slightly up on the 38% last year.
The data shows that, nationally, refusal rates for CAHMS increased by an average of 10% between 2020 and 2023
So far this year, around 4,000 children have been refused access to mental health services.
