Over 100 young people access A&E for mental health issues

Over 100 young people in Roscommon and Galway have attended the A&E department at Portiuncula University Hospital for mental health issues so far this year, new figures have revealed.

The figures were given to Fine Gael councillor Valerie Duffy a Health Forum meeting.

The figures show that there was a 7.2% increase in the number of young people aged between 10 and 24 accessing emergency departments at Portiuncula and Galway University Hospitals in 2024 compared to the previous year.

So far in 2025, 106 people have attended the A&E at the hospitals due to mental health issues, including self-harm and overdose.

Cllr Duffy, a South Roscommon councillor, stressed that recent figures pointed to a “global crisis” of mental health among young people.

A Lancet report, she said, showed that mental illnesses accounts for 45% of disease internationally in people aged between 10 and 24.

Figures released by the HSE showed that in November and December of 2021, 13 young people were admitted to Portiuncula University Hospital with mental health issues. In 2022 and 2023 there were 233 presentations, 258 in 2024 and 106 as of June 17th this year.

Figures were also released from Galway University Hospital on presentations, but only data from Monday to Fridays was tracked.

The Fine Gael councillor also questioned the staffing numbers in place to deal with mental health issues in the Roscommon/Galway area.