Children’s service information for young people

There are many problems the service can help you with, especially if they are affecting the way you are feeling or behaving. You might need help from the service if these issues are making it hard for you to cope at school or at home. Some of the problems we can help with include:

• depression
• stress and anxiety
• anger
• self-harm
• family and relationships
• drug and alcohol abuse
• autism
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• suicidal thoughts
• eating disorders

If you’re struggling, we encourage you to speak to someone like a family member, teacher, school nurse, or GP. If they think it would help, they can refer you to us for support. In some areas, you may also be able to self-refer to the children and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) to directly discuss your feelings and available support.

Generally, only the person who referred you (for example, your school nurse, GP, your family, or carers) will know you’re seeing the service. It’s your choice whether to tell others. We will ask for permission to discuss your care with other professionals, like your school. In rare cases, if there’s concern for your safety or someone else’s, we may need to contact others. We will always discuss this with you in an open and supportive way.

We understand there may be things you want to talk about that you don’t want your parents to know. What you share in individual meetings will stay between you and your worker, unless there are serious safety concerns. If we need to share anything with your parents, we will always talk to you about it first.

If you have any other questions about privacy, feel free to ask your worker.

There may be a short wait before your first appointment with the child and adolescent mental health service. The wait time can vary, but we aim to see you as quickly as possible. You can contact your local service to check when your appointment is likely to be.

If things change and you are unable to attend your booked appointment, please let us know as soon as possible by calling the team. We can arrange another appointment at a time that works better for you.

We’ll usually invite you to one of our main clinic bases for your appointment, but sometimes we can meet at a place that’s more convenient for you, like your school or home. We’ll discuss your options and decide together where’s best to meet.

At your first appointment, you will meet one or two members of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service team who will carry out an assessment. They will ask questions to understand your situation and the challenges you’re facing, so they can decide the best way to support you. If you’re not confident speaking English, we can arrange for an interpreter, just let us know in advance.

At your assessment, you will typically meet with your parents or carers or on your own. If you’re under 16, it’s helpful for your family to be involved in your child and adolescent mental health service journey. You’ll always have the chance to speak with your worker privately. If you’re over 16, you can choose who you’d like to bring to your appointments. Involving family can be helpful so they can share their thoughts and support any changes you want to make.

At your first appointment with the service, your worker will ask questions to understand how you’ve been feeling and what’s been happening for you. Some of their questions might include:

• what difficulties are you currently experiencing?
• how long has the problem been around?
• who’s in your family, and how do you all get on?
• what is life like at school and with your friends?
• how has your mood been recently? Have you been feeling low or stressed?
• are you, or is anyone around you, worried about your safety?
• what were you like when you were growing up?
• what has your life been like so far?
• what things you are good at and enjoy?
• what would you like to change or achieve by coming to the service?
• what type of help would you prefer?

It might be helpful to write down how you’ve been feeling and what you’ve been experiencing before your appointment, so it’s easier to share your thoughts. You don’t need to answer every question your worker asks, and there will be plenty of time for you to ask any questions you have too.