Mental Health Commission Announces New Standards for Community Centres

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has introduced National Standards for Community (Residential) Mental Health Centres, marking a significant step in regulating mental health services in Ireland.

During a panel convened by the MHC, participants discussed the future of mental health provision, highlighting the need for robust compliance and oversight following the Mental Health Act 2026. The new standards will bring community mental health centres under formal regulatory remit, including registration, monitoring and enforcement.

Minister Mary Butler, Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, said good mental health services should “move people towards the life they want to live” and praised the Act’s expected impact on service delivery and recovery.

John Farrelly, chief executive of the MHC, emphasized that public consultation consistently calls for services “in our communities” and stressed the importance of integrated, 24‑hour community care alongside inpatient provision.

The introduction of these standards follows a 2023 MHC report that criticised the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for failing to assure families of safe, effective care, describing the situation as a scandal.

Regulation aims to shift from box‑ticking to daily practice

Speakers at the event urged that regulation should reflect an organisation’s ethos, culture and values, ensuring high‑quality care rather than merely satisfying inspection requirements.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Eren Arıcı / Pexels.