CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
What is camhs?
CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. CAMHS are the NHS services that assess and treat young people with emotional, behavioural and/or mental health difficulties.
CAMHS support covers depression, problems with food, self-harm, abuse, violence or anger, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety to name but a few.
There are local NHS CAMHS services around the UK, with teams made up of nurses, therapists, psychologists, support workers and social workers, as well as other professionals.
To find your nearest CAMHS service click here
How do i get help from CAMHS?
Someone, usually your parents, teacher, GP, or yourself (if old enough), can refer you for an assessment with CAMHS to see what help you can get.
If you're being supported by social care, a youth offending team, or a service at your school, they might also be able to refer you.
It's important to tell the person referring you as much as you can so that you can get the help you need.
Most CAMHS have a website where you can look up how to get access to their service.
DOES CAMHS HELP PARENTS AND CARERS TOO?
Most CAMHS services work with the whole family to support a young person's health.
This might include coming along to assessment and treatment appointments, depending on the child's age and what level of involvement they want.
HOW DO YOUNG PEOPLE MOVE FROM CAMHS TO ADULT SERVICES?
Teenagers will need to move from CAMHS to adult mental health services when they reach a certain age. When it happens depends on where you live, but you should be told at least 6 months in advance.
Transition to adult services is a big change, so it's important to get as much information and support as you can from friend and family. Your CAMHS case worker or care coordinator should create a care plan for you and arrange your transition.
You'll have an assessment with both CAMHS and adult services present to decide what kind of help you can get from the NHS. It's possible that you won't be eligible for the level of care adult services provide, but either way you'll develop a plan for what happens next.
Make sure you also ask about non-NHS support like local youth counselling, charities or school programmes.
Contact Details for your local CAMHS Service:
Hampshire:
Portsmouth CAMHS: Falcon House, St James Hospital, , Locksway Road, Southsea, PO4 8LD, Tel: 0300 123 6632
Southampton CAMHS: Adelaide Health Centre, William Macleod Ways, Southampton, SO16 4XE
Havant CAMHS: The Old Gymnasium Building, Fort Southwick, James Callaghan Drive, PO17 6AR, Tel: 02392 224560.
Fareham CAMHS: 2nd Floor, Osborn Clinic, Osborn Road, Fareham, Hants, PO16 7ES, Tel: 01329 822220.
Winchester/Test Valley CAMHS: Winchester Clinic: Avalon House, Chesil Street, Winchester, SO23 0HU, Tel: 01962 843900. Andover Clinic: Advertiser House, 24-32 London Street, Andover, SP10 2PE, Tel: 0300 304 0070.
Eastleigh CAMHS: 2c Newtown Road, Eastleigh, Hants, SO50 9DB, Tel: 02380 673984.
New Forest CAMHS: Child and Family Health, The Ashurst Centre, Lyndhurst Road, Ashurst, Southampton, Hants, SO40 7AR, Tel: 02380 743000.
Basingstoke CAMHS: Bramblys, Bramblys Drive, Basingstoke, Hants, RG21 8UN, Tel: 01256 842800.
North East Hampshire CAMHS: 3rd Floor, Aldershot Centre for Health, Hospital Hill, Aldershot, Hants, GU11 1AY, Tel: 01252 335600.
Dorset:
Bournemouth CAMHS: Pebble Lodge Inpatient Lodge, 49 Alumhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH4 8EP, Tel: 01202 585400.
Bournemouth and Christchurch CAMHS: Shelley Clinic, 22 Tower Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH1 4LB, Tel: 01202 646300.
East Dorset CAMHS: Ashdown Close, Canford Heath, Poole, BH17 8WG, Tel: 01202 605882.
North Dorset CAMHS: Blandford Community Hospital, Milldown Road, Blandford, DT11 7DD, Tel: 01258 394149.
Poole CAMHS: Poole Community Health Clinic, Shaftesbury Road, Poole, BH15 2NT, Tel: 01202 584600.
West Dorset CAMHS: The Children's Centre, Damer's Road, Dorchester, DT1 2LB, Tel: 01305 255705.
Weymouth and Portland CAMHS: Weymouth Community Hospital, Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth, DT4 7TB, Tel: 01305 762810.
Isle of Wight:
Community CAMHS: 7 Pyle Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1JW, Tel: 01983 523602.
