The first regional plan aimed at strengthening infant and early childhood mental health supports across the South East is being launched in Waterford.

The South East Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Advisory Group Strategic Plan 2026-2029 will be unveiled at Waterford City Hall on Wednesday morning.

The plan sets out shared priorities for services supporting babies, young children and their families across Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford.

It focuses on the role early relationships play in children’s social and emotional development and aims to improve how services across the region work together.

The action plan includes priorities around workforce development, public awareness, evidence-informed practice, service development and securing sustainable resources.

It also aims to ensure families remain central to how services are developed.

Dr. Audrey Lonergan, Chair of the South East Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Advisory Group, said the strategy would help strengthen supports across the region.

‘Through this strategy, we aim to build awareness, knowledge and collaboration across services so that babies, young children and their families receive the support they need from the very start,’ she said.

The South East Advisory Group was established in 2024 to coordinate and provide strategic direction for infant and early childhood mental health developments across the five counties.

Waterford TD and Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler said the plan reflected years of work across the South East and placed an emphasis on prevention, early intervention and ensuring families can access appropriate supports.

The launch will also include contributions from Tusla, the HSE and community and voluntary organisations working with children and families across the region.