Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, is encouraging the public to participate in the public consultation on the draft National Standards for CAMHS, asking children and young people, parents, carers, mental health professionals and service providers to share their views.

Minister Butler legislated for the regulation of CAMHS for the first time in the recently passed Mental Health Act 2026 and requested the Mental Health Commission prioritise the development of the necessary standards for CAMHS as part of the implementation of the new Act.

The new standards represent an important step in strengthening quality, consistency and accountability across Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and form a key part of the new regulatory framework established under the Mental Health Act 2026. The draft standards place a strong emphasis on children's rights, safety and wellbeing, responsiveness of services, and accountability.

The public consultation is seeking feedback from children and young people with experience of CAMHS, parents and carers, mental health professionals, advocates, peer supporters, service providers and the wider public. Feedback will help inform the final version of the standards before they are introduced.

Encouraging participation in the consultation, Minister Butler said:

“I recently passed the Mental Health Act 2026 through the Oireachtas which legislates for the regulation of CAMHS for the first time, fulfilling a major commitment in the Programme for Government.

“I requested the Mental Health Commission prioritise the development of these new standards for CAMHS which are an important step towards improving mental health services for children and young people. I encourage everyone with an interest in children’s mental health to take part and help shape the future of CAMHS.”

The draft standards have been informed by expert advice, evidence, policy developments and engagement with stakeholders including people with lived experience. They are designed to support safe, person-centred and rights-based mental health services for children and young people.

The Minister is particularly interested in views on whether the standards cover the key aspects of care, use clear and accessible language, and can be delivered effectively in practice.

“Children and young people must be at the centre of these standards. Their experiences, along with the views of families, carers and frontline staff, are vital in making sure CAMHS services meet the needs of the children and families who use them.”

“I want to thank everyone who has helped develop these draft standards so far. The feedback received through this consultation will help strengthen the final standards and support better mental health services for children and young people across Ireland.”

The consultation will remain open for public submissions for the next six weeks. Feedback received will be used to refine the standards before they are finalised and implemented.

Mental Health Act 2026 and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)