What is CAMHS?

CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and is a service that provides assessment and treatment for young people and their families who are experiencing mental health difficulties.

While a broad range of services support the mental health of children and adolescents, the term ‘CAMHS’ is usually applied very specifically to services that provide specialist mental health treatment and care to young people up to 18 years of age through a multidisciplinary team.

To access a CAMHS service you need to be referred by your GP.

CAMHS is available for all young people and their families who are experiencing mental health difficulties that affect their ability to function in day to day activities up to the age of 18 years.

What are ‘Mental Health Difficulties’? These are conditions like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, psychosis, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to name a few. Sometimes these difficulties are noticeable by persistent feelings of sadness, worry, stress, concentration issues, or deliberate self-harm.