To be furious hospital have allowed DS to come home after overdose

Yes, they are older now - we never struggled to be seen by Camhs back then. It was a different time- nowhere near as many children needing the service of course.

CAMHS is overwhelmed. MIND is overwhelmed.
I speak as an ex safeguarding lead at a huge high school, and as a parent of a teenager who desperately needed support over a decade ago.
”There’s lots of support available, we’ll give you the numbers to call”, said on repeat. So I called the numbers, they referred elsewhere. Then given more numbers. The support doesn’t exist. A decade of going round and round in circles, my child spiralling. Eventually hit crisis point, admitted to a secure unit. Meds given, psychiatrist appointed, discharged to Early Intervention Team for three years, who have been amazing, truly amazing.

But, if my now adult child had been seen, assessed, treated and supported when we reached out, in desperation over a decade ago, the past year of worry, suicidal tendencies and uncertainty could have been avoided.

Telling parents in my job, that we’d done referrals, that they should hear soon from the agencies was soul destroying. Because I knew from bitter experience, that the help just isn’t there. It’s not the agencies fault. Underfunding for MH is the issue. We have an endemic of MH issues in the UK. And my adult child, is still on MINDs waiting list, Been there since 2021.

Exactly this- with bells on!!!!

My child has been battling for 10 years. Fobbed off from CAMHS until the year before he transferred appallingly (as is common)to adult services by which time he was escalated to a high risk transfer. Now finally getting tier 3 treatment that is still a step away from the treatment he actually needs because he has had multiple suicide attempts, is continuously in crisis and the attempts are getting more and more dangerous, ditto his behaviours.10 years of zilch when trust me the signs of his mental illness were loud and clear. I had to make a massive complaint involving our MP after the last attempt involved him being assessed for sectioning. Finally he is getting the pre treatment service he should have had a decade ago. A life ruined at huge expense to the taxpayer because of our not fit for service mental health system that leaves children high and dry whilst fobbing parents off with crappy numbers,links to websites and ridiculous suggestions that do nothing when your child is seriously ill.

Fun Fact even Papyrus doesn’t answer!

God, I get it, I so do.
I remember calling the direct Crisis Team number that we’d been given one Sunday night. No answer. For thirty minutes. Adult child curled up in a ball, saying they were going to make it stop. Friend came round, both of us calling Crisis team. No reply, another thirty minutes. Then friend driving us to local A&E, twenty minutes away. triaged at 10 p.m. Saw two MH nurses at 2 a.m. Sent home, told they couldn’t admit, “until DC had done something.” Culminated in me, alone, on suicide watch. Thank god DC got through it, Awful, I wouldn’t wish that night on my worst enemy. Bless you. Only parents who have been through it truly get it. But we shouldn’t go through it, our kids deserve better 💐

I went through this with my DS; sending solidarity. Important things are to hide or lock away anything sharp or dangerous and any medication. Try to get him some therapy. Although if he’s made an attempt at his life hopefully cahms will contact you again and see him. They were actually quite good with my ds in the end and he saw a psychiatrist and an amazing mental health nurse who helped him understand himself. I have got closer to my DS through this and it’s been awful but he’s on the right track now fingers crossed 🤞🏼. Make sure you keep trying to talk to him, even though he might not seem to want to, it’s important he knows you’re trying.

In the UK between 15 and 25% of young people have some suicide ideation at some point. And approximately 20% of young people in the UK self harm at some point. By young people I mean under 18s. This is why CAHMS can't do an early intervention service for everyone, there are too many young people.

One in thirteen adults have made a suicide attempt at some point in the UK. 20% of adults experience suicide ideation.

@Mischance I agree with this nugget:

And above all else telling him you love him and that you have faith in him. That you know he can make a success of his life and be happy.
This 1000x!

Investing in prevention might be a good idea.
For too long, too little has been done.

The CAHMS. Service in my area has a drop in Where there are support workers/CPNs - get him in front of someone find the equivalent for your area

many have said about removing the means

go back to basics:-
regulate sleep routines and food intake, walks any exercise

was there a trigger event prior to all the drink n drugs - could this be a trauma response? Kids act out - when did behavioural changes start? Gently ask if some thing happened or if someone hurt them? You just need a nod not details and go at there pace
see what you can find out

make sure you all have urgent care information in phones and written down, encourage engagement with Samaritans this can be via email to help talk about big emotions and head off self harm

sorry I’ve not read all of thread I wish you well

to other parents on the thread

If your child is 16 and above, check you local talking therapies service - it’s not for urgent crisis support but you should be seen for therapy within months - but they don’t cover everything it’s classes as primary care so please manage your expectations if you follow up the above

Honestly I’d put him in private therapy. I’d take out a loan if I had to. Never rely on the health service. It’s broken and has let the people I love rot and die (due to lack of funding and structure not individual workers).