Can it be that our society’s rampant commodification has blinded us to the glaring inequalities that should provoke outrage instead of resignation? It seems that when we reduce everything to numbers, we can conveniently ignore the immense suffering experienced by those who lack a voice to advocate for themselves.
Yet, even the most apathetic among us must feel a sense of discomfort when we learn that in a country that supposedly values family, over 4,000 children are waiting for mental health care. The situation is particularly dire in Cork and Kerry, where almost 1,000 children are anxiously waiting to be seen. Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow also face unacceptably long waiting lists.
Reports indicate that the demand for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) has surged by 33% between 2020 and 2021. In some cases, the excessive delays have led doctors to prescribe anti-depressants to children who should be receiving proper care for their mental distress.
Psychologists emphasize that children learn from their surroundings. When their basic needs go unmet, they may feel betrayed and develop the belief that they are insignificant. Such failures or neglect can no longer be excused in today’s world.
As we focus on our substantial financial surplus, we should remember that investing in our children always yields the greatest returns. This week, as some primary school children return to their classrooms, the government deserves credit for introducing an innovative scheme. For the first time, children up to the age of 12 will receive free schoolbooks, workbooks, and copybooks – a resource worth over €100.
Unfortunately, this program is not available for secondary schools, where the costs are even higher. Our families desperately need any help they can get, especially with inflation driving up food prices by 13%.
Last month, the Irish League of Credit Unions published its annual School Costs survey, revealing that 33% of Irish parents won’t be able to afford new shoes for their children. Another survey from Refurbed, a technology marketplace, found that 61% of parents will struggle to buy electronic devices necessary for their children’s education.
In today’s fiercely competitive world, supporting all our children and providing equal access to education is not only a pathway to a brighter future, but an absolute necessity.
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