Parents, young people and mental health professionals are being asked to help shape the future of CAMHS consultation in Ireland, following a new appeal from Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler. The public call comes as the Department of Health opens a six-week consultation on draft National Standards for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, a major step under the Mental Health Act 2026.
The move marks the first time Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services will be regulated under statute in Ireland. Published through gov.ie and backed by the Department of Health, the draft standards are intended to improve quality, consistency, accountability and safety across CAMHS in both community and inpatient settings.
CAMHS consultation opens under new Mental Health Act 2026
The new CAMHS consultation follows the enactment of the Mental Health Act 2026, which was signed into law on 7 May 2026. The legislation gives the Mental Health Commission a wider regulatory role and creates, for the first time, a legal framework for oversight of community mental health services, including CAMHS.
That means Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services will now fall under a system of:
- registration
- inspection
- monitoring
- enforcement
The standards now out for consultation are being developed to support that framework. According to the government, they are built around children’s rights, wellbeing, safe care, responsive services and stronger accountability.
Who is being asked to respond?
The CAMHS consultation is aimed at a wide group of stakeholders, including:
- children and young people with lived experience of CAMHS
- parents, carers and families
- mental health professionals
- service providers
- advocates and peer supporters
- members of the wider public
Minister Butler said the views of children, families and frontline workers will be crucial in making sure the final standards reflect real needs on the ground.
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Why the draft standards matter for Ireland’s mental health system
This CAMHS consultation is more than a routine policy exercise. It forms part of a broader reform agenda in Irish mental health services and links to the expanding oversight role of public bodies across Health and Social Protection. While the Health Service Executive (HSE) remains central to service delivery, the new legal environment increases the role of independent regulation and rights-based standards.
The draft framework is designed to answer key questions such as:
- Do the standards address the most important parts of care?
- Is the language clear and accessible for families and young people?
- Can services implement the standards effectively in practice?
The consultation also reflects a wider government focus on transparency and participation across public services, a direction often seen across gov.ie, the Department of the Taoiseach and agencies working in Health, Education and Children/Disability/Equality.
Key protections in the new law
The Mental Health Act 2026 introduces several notable changes for children and teenagers in care. These include stronger recognition of children’s voices in treatment decisions, more oversight of restrictive practices in inpatient settings, and updated care-planning obligations. Importantly, 16- and 17-year-olds with decision-making capacity can consent to or refuse treatment, strengthening personal autonomy.
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What happens next in the CAMHS consultation
The CAMHS consultation will remain open for six weeks, after which submissions will be reviewed and used to refine the final standards before implementation. The wider rollout of the Mental Health Act 2026 will happen in phases, supported by secondary legislation, codes of practice, regulatory standards and workforce training.
The clear takeaway is that this CAMHS consultation gives families, clinicians and young people a rare opportunity to influence how child mental health care is regulated in Ireland for years to come. For anyone with experience or interest in CAMHS consultation, now is the time to contribute.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
