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My experience of CAMHS as a parent

Posted By Tr5cy

"My experience of CAMHS as a parent"

About: Children’s Services / Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

(as a parent/guardian),

Just over 3 years ago my teenage daughter made a desperate attempt on her life and as a result ended up in hospital.  She was visited by the Crisis Team and did not connect with them at all.  As a parent I was extremely distressed by the whole event and couldn't understand what my daughter was experiencing.  We tried private counselling - that didn't work.  We tried the school - that didn't work and her cry for help was just getting louder by the day. 

A referral had been made to CAMHS and it was a struggle to get her to even get into the car to attend the appointment.  A further struggle to get her to go into the room and meet the Dr.  However, she did and we were very lucky to be met by Dr Clarke.  Dr Clarke took his time and carefully and patiently explained to my daughter why she was feeling the way she was.  This did not happen overnight and he was always very patient and understanding.  When she did want to start communicating he listened and involved me in the discussions.   All appointments were made in full consultation with my daughter and I.   He explained coping strategies that she understood and started apply.  Thankfully, due to his caring and understanding nature we are through the worst part of this episode.  My daughter has started looking to her future and made plans - she knows how to apply coping strategies, when needed and has a better understanding of why she felt the way she did.

I wanted to share this to let other parents know that there is help and also to let the CAMHS service know they are doing a great job..   Thank U.

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Responses

Response from Vi Gray, Professional Nursing Support , PCOP, Western Health & Social Care Trust 3 years ago
Vi Gray
Professional Nursing Support , PCOP,
Western Health & Social Care Trust

encourage people to share their experiences of health and social care, what matters to you, what you particularly liked or disliked so that we can share with the relevant department, and staff .

Submitted on 26/10/2021 at 15:34
Published on Care Opinion at 15:34

picture of Vi Gray


Hello Tr5cy

Your kind feed back despite a difficult time for you and your daughter was warmly received by the team manager in CAMHS and Dr Clarke who have asked me to share their response with you.

“As a service, it is heartening to receive such warms comments from a parent, but CAMHS cannot achieve anything without a partnership approach with the young people and families we support. And, in this case, the young person and her mother really bought into the process, even when it was most difficult for them. Working together as a team (the young person, her parents and CAMHS), is what led to the good outcomes here. CAMHS would like to wish this young person all the very best for her future.”



Best Wishes

Vi Gray

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