TASMANIA has the most poorly resourced youth mental health service in the country, a coronial inquest has heard.
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Coroner Olivia McTaggart is examining the self-harm deaths of six young Tasmanians and investigating ways other youth suicides may be prevented.
The inquest this morning heard from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service psychiatrist Fiona Wagg, who said the sector was being hampered by significant resourcing shortfalls.
Dr Wagg said service staffing levels were less than a third of the level they should be, with just over 10 clinicians tasked with caring for all children from conception until the age of 18.
She said the service was forced to freeze new referrals during December and January, with more than 50 young people on the wait list.
''We're really struggling to meet the level of demand at the moment,'' she said.
''Our capacity to provide a coherent response is limited by the fact we have a small number of staff.''
Dr Wagg told the inquest that recent budget savings measures were making the situation worse.
She said intervention in the early childhoods of at-risk youths was the most clinically effective and cost effective way to make a positive impact on their lives.
Dr Wagg said much more could be done in this area if the sector was better resourced.
She said the service was also being held back by insufficient funding for outreach programs and community-based services.
''One of the difficulties we have is there are not a lot of options for young people with child and mental health problems,'' Dr Wagg said.
The inquest continues this afternoon.
Lifeline: 131114.
Kids Helpline: 1800551800 www.kidshelp.com.au.
Suicide callback service: 1300659467, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.