What does Specialist CAMHS help with?
\nWhen mental health difficulties are going on for some time and are impacting on all aspects of life such as education, home life, hobbies and interests, socialising and having fun, it may be that young people would benefit with getting help from a specialist service.<\/p>\n
Examples of mental health difficulties that CAMHS supports young people with include:<\/p>\n
\tModerate to severe depression
\n \tModerate to severe anxiety, phobia or panic disorders
\n \tObsessive compulsive disorder
\n \tPost-traumatic stress disorder
\n \tEating disorders
\n \tPsychosis
\n \tSelf-harm associated with any of the above problems<\/p>\n
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It is important to know that we can all experience tough times and this can cause our mental health to suffer. CAMHS works with young people, their families and other important organisations (such as schools) to achieve the following:<\/p>\n
\tAssess and diagnose mental health and neurodevelopmental difficulties
\n \tIdentify realistic goals or changes that your child would like to make
\n \tIdentify and build on their strengths
\n \tLearn emotional coping techniques to help manage difficult or upsetting thoughts, feelings, urges or experiences
\n \tEmpower your child to identify, express and communicate their needs, take responsibility for their health and wellbeing and feel confident in knowing where and how to get additional support if necessary
\n \tUse evidence-based approaches to treat or help your child better manage your difficulties. This can include approaches such as cognitive behaviour therapy, systemic family therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, dialectical behaviour therapy etc\u2026\u00a0 and\/or medication.<\/p>\n
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CAMHS is made up of a number of specialist teams, who work with children, young people and their families in the community. Appointments are usually at one of the team bases but can sometimes be virtual or at your home or school.<\/p>\n
Sometimes young people are struggling so much with their mental health that they need to be cared for, for a short period of time, in hospital for further support and this is known as an adolescent inpatient unit.<\/p>\n
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Other services within CAMHS include:<\/p>\n
\tEating Disorders Service
\n \tBeacon Service
\n \tIntensive Community Support Team
\n \tLearning Disabilities Service
\n \tOutpatients Service
\n \tPaediatric Psychology Service
\n \tPrimary Mental Health Team
\n \tCRISIS and Home Treatment
\n \tYoung People\\’s Team Service<\/p>\n
and more.<\/p>\n
\nMy child has been referred to CAMHS, what should I expect?
\nCAMHS support is different depending on your child\\’s needs. For example, your child might only need a one-off appointment or assessment, or your child might need ongoing care until you feel better and safe. Most of the time, your will be added to a waiting list for an initial assessment where these needs will be considered. Although this might sound concerning, it\u2019s just a chat so that the team can get to know your child and make sure they get the right support. It\u2019s also a good chance for your child to ask any questions.<\/p>\n
If your child is under the age of 16, you might be invited to this assessment.<\/p>\n
They can work with your child on a one-to-one basis or in a group. It can be helpful to also include family members and to work alongside other people who know you well.<\/p>\n
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\nHow to access support
\nThere are lots of non-urgent resources and services that can help support both you and your child with their mental health, including Home | ThisMayHelp,\u00a0Every Mind Matters\u00a0and more.<\/p>\n
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If you feel your child needs more help by accessing specialist CAMHS, you will need a referral from a healthcare professional such as a nurse, school nurse or a GP.<\/p>\n
A referral will be made if they think that your child\\’s difficulties require specialist support. If your child is already accessing support from social care or a youth offending team, they might be able to refer your child to CAMHS.<\/p>\n
Did you know that you can\u00a0text a school nurse\u00a0if you need confidential support in a non-emergency?<\/p>\n
Click here for a list of useful non-urgent services.<\/p>\n
\nIf you need urgent help for your child\\’s mental health:<\/p>\n
\tYou can call the Central Access Point (CAP) on 0808 8003302 who have a 24 hour support line
\n \tIf your child is already being seen by CAMHS and it is in office hours (9-5), call their allocated CAMHS worker
\n \tCall your GP
\n \tCall 111<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"