CAMHS — what to expect and how to get heard

What CAMHS is (and isn''t)

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services — NHS specialist mental health teams for under-18s. Tiered Tier 1 (universal) to Tier 4 (inpatient). Long waits are the norm.

How to get a referral

• GP, school nurse, SENCo, paediatrician, or self-referral (some areas)
• Be specific: list behaviours, frequency, risk, impact on school and family

When CAMHS refuses

"Below threshold" is common. You can:

• Ask for the refusal in writing with reasons
• Request a second opinion / re-referral with new evidence
• Escalate to PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison)
• Try voluntary alternatives: YoungMinds, Kooth, Mind, Place2Be

While you wait

• Keep a daily mood/incident log
• Build a crisis safety plan
• Tell school — they must consider mental health under SEND (EHCP route)
• Anxiety-led non-attendance (EBSA) → see Anxiety section

Helplines (24/7)

• Shout text 85258 · Childline 0800 1111 · Samaritans 116 123 · NHS 111 option 2 for mental health