CAMHS

What CAMHS is

CAMHS, also called Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services or CYPMHS, supports children and young people with emotional, behavioural and mental health needs. NHS guidance says these services can help with anxiety, low mood, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, bullying, bereavement, trauma, difficult feelings, and unusual experiences such as seeing or hearing things that others do not.

CAMHS may provide:

• mental health assessment
• risk assessment
• therapy or talking support
• family work
• medication review where appropriate
• eating disorder support
• crisis planning
• autism or ADHD pathway advice where local services include this
• referral to specialist services
• support with school, safeguarding or social care links

When to ask for CAMHS help

Ask for help if a child or young person has:

• anxiety, panic or severe worry
• depression or persistent low mood
• self-harm
• suicidal thoughts
• eating problems or rapid weight change
• trauma, PTSD symptoms or flashbacks
• OCD symptoms
• extreme anger or distress
• hallucinations or paranoia
• school refusal linked to mental health
• severe sleep problems
• emotional distress linked to autism, ADHD or SEND
• risk-taking behaviour
• bereavement, bullying or abuse concerns

How to access CAMHS

Referral routes vary locally. Common routes include:

• GP referral
• school or college referral
• SENCO or safeguarding lead referral
• health visitor or school nurse
• paediatrician
• social worker
• NHS 111 crisis route
• self-referral in some local areas

Ask your local NHS trust or GP practice how CAMHS referrals work in your area.

Crisis services

Use urgent help if a child:

• may attempt suicide
• has self-harmed seriously
• has taken an overdose
• cannot be kept safe
• is hearing voices telling them to harm themselves or others
• has severe eating disorder risk
• is extremely distressed, confused or unsafe
• is at risk of harming someone else

Call 999 for immediate danger. Call 111 and choose the mental health option for urgent crisis support when it is not immediately life-threatening.

Support while waiting

CAMHS waiting times can be difficult. While waiting, ask for:

• written safety plan
• crisis contact details
• school support plan
• GP review
• safeguarding support if risk is present
• NHS 111 crisis advice if things worsen
• charity support such as YoungMinds, Mind, Samaritans or Childline
• referral updates in writing

YoungMinds has a guide to CAMHS for young people and families, including advice while waiting for support.

Schools, colleges and SEND links

Mental health can affect attendance, behaviour, learning, relationships and progress. GOV.UK guidance says schools and colleges should take a whole-school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Parents can ask school for:

• SENCO involvement
• pastoral support
• reduced stress plan
• reasonable adjustments
• attendance support
• safe space
• trusted adult
• behaviour support plan
• risk assessment
• referral to school nurse or mental health support team
• EHCP needs assessment evidence if health affects education

Children, parents and carers

Parents and carers should keep evidence of:

• symptoms and dates
• self-harm or risk incidents
• sleep, eating and mood changes
• school attendance
• behaviour logs
• bullying evidence
• safeguarding concerns
• GP and school letters
• CAMHS referral date
• crisis contacts
• medication and side effects
• copies of emails and appointment letters

Ask CAMHS for:

• assessment outcome
• risk assessment
• care plan
• crisis plan
• diagnosis or working formulation
• therapy plan
• review date
• discharge plan
• written advice for school
• reasonable adjustments

Legal rights

Children and young people have rights to safe care, dignity, respect, involvement in decisions, confidentiality, consent, access to records, reasonable adjustments and complaints.

Key protections include:

• NHS Constitution for England
• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Children and Families Act 2014
• Equality Act 2010
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Mental Health Act 1983
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
• Accessible Information Standard

Consent and confidentiality

Children and young people should be involved in decisions in a way that fits their age and understanding. Older children may have confidentiality rights, but professionals may share information if there is serious risk, safeguarding concern or legal duty.

Parents can ask:

• what information can be shared
• what risk has been identified
• what support is available
• how the child’s voice has been considered
• what to do if risk increases

Accessible support

Ask CAMHS or NHS services for:

• Easy Read information
• large print, Braille or audio
• BSL interpreter
• spoken language interpreter
• longer appointments
• quiet waiting area
• sensory adjustments
• text/email instead of phone
• parent/carer involvement
• advocate support
• autism or ADHD-friendly adjustments
• written summaries after appointments

The NHS Accessible Information Standard requires NHS and publicly funded adult social care services to identify, record and meet communication needs.

Complaints and accountability

If CAMHS support is delayed, unsafe or unclear:

1. Ask the CAMHS team for an update in writing.
2. Ask for the risk level, care plan and crisis plan.
3. Contact the team manager or service manager.
4. Contact PALS if the service is part of an NHS trust.
5. Make a formal NHS complaint.
6. Escalate unresolved complaints to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

PALS can provide confidential advice and help patients, families and carers resolve concerns about NHS services.

Official links

• NHS children and young people’s mental health services: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/mental-health-support/mental-health-services/
• NHS urgent mental health help: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/
• NHS 111: https://111.nhs.uk/
• YoungMinds CAMHS guide: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/your-guide-to-support/guide-to-camhs/
• GOV.UK school mental health guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/promoting-and-supporting-mental-health-and-wellbeing-in-schools-and-colleges
• PALS finder: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/patient-advice-and-liaison-services-pals/
• NHS complaints: https://www.nhs.uk/contact-us/how-to-complain-to-the-nhs/
• NHS Constitution: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

Best rule: take risk seriously, ask early, keep written evidence, involve school and GP, request a crisis plan, and escalate quickly if a child is unsafe or support is delayed.