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North Cumbria Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) – Information for children and young people

Published
06/09/2022
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Information for children and young people about the North Cumbria CAMHS services in Workington and Carlisle.

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This leaflet may not be reproduced in whole or in part, without the permission of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

North Cumbria (CAMHS)

Information for children and young people

  • Introduction

    This leaflet provides you with information that you may find useful about the service. If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet please ask a member of staff.

  • What is CAMHS?

    CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Often, when we are sad, angry or worried these feelings pass after a short time. But if you feel sad, angry or worried for a longer time then CAMHS can offer he­­lp.

    CAMHS help children and young people aged 0-18 years who are finding it hard to cope with everyday life because of difficult feelings, thoughts, behaviour or relationships.

  • Your first appointment at CAMHS

    Before you visit us
    After your referral has been accepted by CAMHS, you will be offered an appointment to come and see us. This appointment is sometimes called an assessment.

    Before you visit us, it might be useful to discuss the appointment with someone so you can have a think about what you would like to talk about or what questions you would like to ask. It may be useful to write these things down so you remember. Helpful people to have this conversation with could be a relative, carer, friend, teacher or the person who referred you to CAMHS.

    YoungMinds have developed a list of questions you might find useful to ask during the appointment:

    youngminds.org.uk/find-help/your-guide-to-support/questions-you-should-ask/

    You may receive questionnaires to complete and bring to your first appointment. There is no right or wrong answer so just answer the best you can. If you do not know how to answer a question you can talk with your worker about this in your first appointment.

  • Arriving at CAMHS

    When you arrive at CAMHS you will tell our receptionist that you are here. Once you tell them your name, they will book you in and let the person you have come to see know that you have arrived.

    You will be asked to take a seat in the waiting room and you may sit there for a short time. We will then invite you into one of our rooms where we can talk. Your mum, dad or carer will be able to come in with you.

    You may feel worried or nervous about coming to CAMHS for the first time, this is okay. Our videos on our website will show you our buildings and how you can get to reception

  • During your first appointment

    Children and young people come to CAMHS for lots of different reasons. The first time you visit us we will want to get to know you a little better and find out what is happening in your life.

    We may ask you questions about home, school, friends, what you like to do and any problems you may have. This will help us know how best we can help you. You can ask us any questions too.

    It is often helpful for parents and carers to be part of this discussion. You will also have chance to speak with your CAMHS worker alone if you would like.

    Your appointment will usually last 90 minutes.

    It is up to you what you decide to share with us. We understand it can be difficult to talk about certain things. You will not have to answer any questions you do not want to answer, and you will not be put under pressure to discuss anything you are not ready to talk about.

  • Who will I see during my first appointment?

    There are different types of professionals who you may see at CAMHS.

    YoungMinds have made a list of the professionals who typically work within CAMHS so you can learn a little bit about their different roles:

    youngminds.org.uk/find-help/your-guide-to-support/whos-who/

    Sometimes we may ask if a student or a new member of staff can join the appointment. You can refuse this if you want.

  • Confidentiality

    Sometimes there may be things you do not want your parent or carer to know. We will keep what you tell us confidential (private).

    The only time we would tell someone else, is if we become very worried about your safety or the safety of others.

    If we became very concerned about you, we may have to share this information with someone who could help (e.g. family, school). We would try to speak with you before we did this.

  • What happens next?

    At the end of the appointment, we will talk through what happens next. It may be that we offer you another appointment to gain more information to decide how best to help.

    Sometimes we may think another organisation may be better able to help you and we will support you to get help from them.

    If we feel that we are the best service to help you then there may be a wait until you are offered support. We would ask that if you feel you are getting worse to contact our CAMHS team manager to let us know.

  • If you need help urgently

    The Universal Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHT) are available 24/7 to support you if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. They can also provide advice and support to your family.

    The service can be contacted on 0300 123 9015 or freephone 0800 652 2865.

    There is a text number for people who are Deaf and/or have communication difficulties: 07795 656 226.

    We would ask you to call 999 or visit your nearest A&E in case of an emergency.

  • Helpful resources

    • Kooth
      www.kooth.com
      Online free confidential counselling and emotional wellbeing service for children and young people.
    • On My Mind
      www.onmymind.info
      Resources, information and tools to empower young people and their mental health.
    • YoungMinds – 0808 802 5544
      www.youngminds.org.uk
      Provides information, support and advice on a wide range of mental health problems to young people, carers and professionals.
    • OCD Action
      www.ocdaction.org.uk
      Support and advice for people with OCD.
    • OCD UK
      www.ocduk.org
      A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Provides information, advice and support.
    • National Self Harm Network
      www.nshn.co.uk
      24/7 monitored forum for people who self-harm, and their families, to get support and offer advice to others.
    • Calm Harm
      A phone app providing strategies to help reduce the urge to self-harm at times of need.
    • Clear Fear
      A phone app providing strategies to help manage symptoms of anxiety at times of need.
    • Faceup2it
      faceup2it.org/
      Provides information by young people for young people about consent and relationships.

  • Interpreters

    Staff can arrange an interpreter if you need one.

  • How to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint

    If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:

     

    We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention. You can provide feedback in the following ways:

    • the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourvoice
    • complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff
    • other options for sharing your feedback and experience www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback

     

    Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
    PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.

    We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.

    North of Tyne
    Telephone: 0800 032 0202
    Email: [email protected]
    Post: FREEPOST PALS

    South of Tyne
    Telephone: 0800 328 4397
    Text: 07825 061 035
    Email: [email protected]
    Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB

    9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday

    An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.

  • Contact us

    • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) West Cumbria
      Park Lane Clinic
      Park Lane
      Workington
      Cumbria
      CA14 2RR

      Telephone: 01900 705 800

    • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) East Cumbria
      Fairfield Centre
      Carleton Clinic
      Cumwhinton Drive
      Carlisle
      CA1 3SX

      Telephone: 01228 603 017

  • Information about content, other formats and version control

    Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

    This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre on 0191 246 7288.

    Published by the Patient Information Centre
    2022 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
    Ref: PIC/866/1022 October 2022 V3

    Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
    Telephone: 0191 246 7288

    Review date 2024

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