CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. CAMHS are a specialist NHS services.
They offer assessment and treatment when children and young people have emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.
Children and young people and their families can be referred to CAMHS if children are finding it hard to cope with family life, school or the wider world. If these difficulties are too much for family, friends or GPs to help with, CAMHS may be able to assist.
Types of problems CAMHS can help with include violent or angry behaviour, depression, eating difficulties, low self-esteem, anxiety, obsessions or compulsions, sleep problems, self-harming and the effects of abuse or traumatic events. CAMHS can also diagnose and treat serious mental health problems such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
There are different ways to get an appointment with CAMHS. The most common is via your GP, who will listen to your worries and may be able to offer their own advice. If your GP thinks specialist help is needed, your GP can write a letter to CAMHS asking them to consider whether they can support you.
Others who may be able to make a referral to CAMHS include:
All of the team at CAMHS are trained to work with children, young people, their families or carers. They come from a number of different backgrounds with different training and skills. You will be seen by the person who will be best able to help you. This depends upon the type of problem and the reason for your visit.
The different child mental health professionals in team usually include:
Child and adolescent psychiatrists – they are medically qualified doctors who specialise in working with young people with mental health problems and their families.
Clinical psychologists – they can assess and help with children’s psychological functioning, emotional wellbeing and development. They can help you to understand the links between your thoughts, feelings and behaviour in different situations like home and school. Sometimes they will work just with you but sometimes it will be with your family/carers too. Many psychologists who work in CAMHS are also called doctor but this is different to a medical doctor.
Child psychotherapists - they are trained therapists who work with children helping to deal with their emotional and mental health problems
Family therapists - they are trained therapists who work with children and their families together, to help them understand and manage the difficulties that are happening in their lives.
Social workers - they are trained to help children and families needing extra support or help to keep them safe.
Mental health practitioners - they are usually trained in mental health and help in the assessment (understanding) and management of emotional, behavioural and mental health problems.
Paediatricians- they are medically qualified doctors who look at specific health issues, diseases and disorders related to stages of growth and development in children and young people.
Art therapists- they are specially trained to work with young people using art materials to help you to express yourself and to show other people how you are feeling.
The following films and maps may help you to prepare for your first appointment with CAMHS.