CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and helps children and young people up to 18 who are finding it hard to cope with everyday life because of difficult feeling, behaviour or relationships.
Most of the time when we are sad, angry, stressed or worried these feelings pass within a few days but if they go on for a while and stop us enjoying and coping with life, then CAMHS can help. Just as we go to the doctors when we are physically ill, sometimes we need extra help with our mental health.
| Significant levels of need /complex presentation |
| PTSD, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, bipolar disorder, assessment for neurodevelopmental or learning needs |
| Severe symptoms with significant impact across multiple settings, or multiple co-existing difficulties No motivation to change |
| Severe, active, high-risk self-harm. Current suicidal plans, or recent suicide attempt |
| Complex needs, including domestic abuse, significant instability in family, moderate additional learning needs in carer, risky substance use |
We currently have access to a CAMHS Senior Mental Health Practitioner and SPA Clinician link who we are able to consult and where necessary escalate a referral via school.
You and/or your parent/carer can also self-refer to CAMHS via https://secureforms.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/
CAMHS website provides additional self-help resources for children, young people and their families www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/self-care/