If you think we could help you, but have not already spoken to us, you can speak to your family, ask your teacher, doctor, health visitor or Teaching Assistant. They will let us know that it’s a good idea to meet with you for a chat.

Each local CAMHS page has a referral email address, or referral slip to download/print and submit.

When we receive a request for help this will be discussed at our referral meeting to decide who you will be seeing. At the first appointment we will spend time talking about the reasons you are here. We will listen to you and you can tell us anything you like about how you are feeling, asking as many questions as you like. This is a safe environment and we want to help you. We find it helpful to meet other members of your family so we can hear what they think about the difficulty but we will also talk to you separately. You may prefer if it is just you at the appointment and this is fine, just let us know.

If you are waiting to see a CAMHS clinician you can use a range of digital resources, which you can learn more about through these websites: https://bestforyou.org.uk/digital-mental-health/ and https://www.good-thinking.uk/youngpeople. You can also check resources which may have been listed in your waiting list letter or link in with support that is available through your school. If you find yourself in distress, always seek support from a trusted person and/or use access crisis services: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/camhs/contact-us/camhs-crisis-support

CAMHS is a safe place where we can work together to try and understand what is happening for you, and how to help you to be happier. All CAMHS doctors, nurses and therapists have trained especially so that they can work with children, young people and their families. 

Coming to CAMHS is not as scary as it may seem once you get used to it, but if you find that it isn’t right for you can always talk to the person you see at CAMHS. Many young people feel very unsure about coming at first but in the end feel very glad that they did. You can also talk to your CAMHS worker about other options available to you in the local community for alternative or additional support.

If someone you know is having a hard time with difficult thoughts, feelings, or behaviours, you can suggest they get help and support. Encourage them to talk to a trusted person like a parent, youth worker, or teacher, because it is usually not good to keep problems or worries to yourself. Telling someone to get help is not a bad thing if you say it in a kind way; it shows that you care. Everyone needs help and support at some point in their life. A teacher, youth worker, or another trusted adult can help them get in touch with CAMHS if they agree to it. Peer mentors or peer support workers if available can be really helpful too. If you’re not sure what to do, ask an adult you trust to help you support your friend. 

You can also learn more about how to support friends who are struggling with their mental health here: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/supporting-a-friend-with-their-mental-health/

Talk with the person you see at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. All our clinicians are happy to work with you to find out what will help the most. If you have already spoken to the person you usually see, or if there is a reason you cannot, you can ask to talk to a different staff member. They will listen and try to understand your worries. 

If you have any concerns, comments, compliments, or complaints, please let us know. We learn from all feedback and use it to make our services better. This could mean telling us about something that went well or something that did not. If you have a concern or complaint, you can talk to any member of staff who will connect you with a senior clinician or the service manager. 

For support and advice, you can contact our confidential Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 783 4839. You can read more about PALS here: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/contact-us/pals-here-help 

You might also want to talk with a People Participation worker who has experience using East London National Health Service Foundation Trust services. 

You can also leave a review of a service at Care Opinion: https://www.careopinion.org.uk/

Information about our services is available in Braille, large print, audio or other languages. 

We can also provide interpreters for languages or signing at your appointment. Please contact us to find out more.

We value what our young people have to say, or suggestions they may have on how we can improve our service. We have people focus groups, forums and fun events throughout the year that you can participate in.

Learn more about getting involved.

• Feedback on Service Users Participation 
• My Experience of CAMHS