A DAVAGH couple whose child self-harms say they are frustrated that their son has been denied treatment.
David Campbell’s son Owen has been diagnosed with autism but after despite being referred to CAHMS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) he is still not receiving any treatment.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service is a community
-based service providing support and advice to children and young people with mental health concerns.
In October last year Owen was initially denied an appointment with CAHMS, due to his postcode, but after clarifying the issue with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, the child has since seen a specialist twice.
“We were delighted to get the appointments,” said David, “but we were then told that Owen did not have a mental health problem. They did acknowledge the fact he self-harms, but that’s being blamed on the fact he has autism. So at the minute we’re in limbo and we’up up against a brick wall. It’s a particularly sensitive time for Owen because he’s at the transfer age and will have the stress of moving to a new school to deal with too.”
Since reading about the family’s desperation in the MAIL last year, they now have the support of Mid-Ulster MLAs Patsy McGlone, Billy Armstrong and Ian McCrea but have yet to engage the help of Sinn Fein, despite Michelle O’Neill being the Health Spokesperson and deputy chair of the all-party Assembly group on Autism.
“It’s disappointing, because we’d like all our politicians to take a stand, to show people that this isn’t acceptable. Owen knows there is something that little bit different about him, and he knows he needs help,” said David. “But where can we go now to get that help he needs?”
Chairperson of the National Autistic Society Mid-Ulster Branch, Wendy McMullan, said sufferers of autism are often pushed from one department to another.
“All these services are supposed to be accessible and children should not be left like this. There are even very little play resources for children out there. They can’t attend summer schemes at leisure centres like others their own age, even though the contact is essential for them. Where do we get help for these children?”
And David added: “If you’re an alcoholic or drug addict you get looked after, but children who have autism, through no fault of their own, are the ones left without treatment. We want answers.”
Meanwhile, the National Autistic Society will be holding a bag pack at Tesco in Cookstown on April 9 and customers are asked to give generously.
