It's actually very hard to know where to start.
Essentially whilst there is a funding problem there are also significant operational and professional practice issues that are not addressed due to an excuse based culture. It is difficult to address one without the other.
Our local CAMHS to whom dd was referred in 2015 when she was cutting and od'ing provided little professional support. She was seen after only about 10/12 weeks because I pushed. She was seen by a PMHW who didn't explain her role and the office staff didn't know what it ment either. Regrettably as referred to by a previous poster she also chewed gum. She told me dd needed CBT for anxiety and low mood manifesting in self harm. I asked how long it would take and was advised it would be a long wait. I asked if a private practitioner could be recommended and was told "no we don't do that because we don't know their outcomes but I know a really good guy who would be perfect but I can't tell you who he is, so you need to find someone off the internet".
Paradoxically dd wsboffered group therapy in the school day within about six weeks. The practitioners report specifically noted that dd's issues were rooted in her concerns about underperformance at school and it was hoped she wpuld be happier at a new school. The group therapy, 10.30-12 on a school day clashing with the first term of A'Level French would have ratcheted dd's issues into space.
I phoned and explained and was told CBT was group therapy and I hadn't been misadvised. The CAMHS manager advised I should get the school to change their timetable and that as I had inquired about private I shouldn't be with CAMHS. I was told on the private basis dd would be offered nothing else. A copy letter was received shortly thereafter addressed to my GP stating the family had refused interventions and therefore CAMHS had no option but to close the case.
Meanwhile as both GP and CAMHS had refused to help refer because it was unsafe and advised me to find specialist counselling support off the internet I was desperate. I shall also ad thT dd wanted help and to engage with it.
I contacted PALS. Three month investigation but they couldn't investigate with dd's consent - this is a real issue with 16-18 year olds who are already Ill and don't need additional stress. A call to the lead commissioner and my MP did extrapolate into an offer of 1:1 therapy and a double speak apology. However by the time I had secured a private therapist having read the riot act to the GP and sourced a consultant adolescent psychiatrist through BUPA. But learning to navigate the system tool four months which was time wasted for dd and I feel strongly there should be more support and signposting for parents who can afford to pay from the very beginning. Particularly as many of the people used by CAMHS either through the NHS or trough the linked charities also have private practices.
At this point DD had monthly sessions with the psychiatrist, weekly counselling, had a full physical health screening and after a few months was prescribed Fluoxetine and earlier a v high dose of vit D. She actually needed the Fluoxetine to get to a place to benefit from the counselling.
6 months in and generally improving exams brought on a wobble. The psych had assessed for ASD and ADHD A few weeks before this at Dd's request. But two weeks before exams dd took a tiny amount of paracetamol and 11 anti-histamine tablets. 48 hours later having told nobody and having been as bright as a button at supper the previous evening. She took herself off to our local A&E. The hospital did not phone me for four hours and when I arrived the consultant told me he wasn't at all worried about her but as protocol she would be admitted overnight with a 1:1 MH nurse, we had been reported to SS and this was necessary to facilitate a CAMHS review and I had given my permission on the phone. I had not. She was assessed that evening in A&E by the MH Liaison service because at 17 this as available. She was assessed by CAMHS the following Tuesday - After I chased and we were advised she would be referred for counselling and it woukd be delivered over the summer. She was assessed a few weeks later and advised she wpuld be put on an 8-10 week waiting list. CAMHS denied saying she would get counselling quickly - their letter/report was in fact a litany of errors.
During this dd got the assessment results from the private psychiatrist. She had traits of ASD but not enough for a diagnosis. She was however diagnosed with ADHD and a litany ofbjigsw pieces fell together. I called the CAMHS practitioner as advised by the GP. I can still hear her "well now mum, she's a bit too old to be having that at 17". I had actually to ask if she was undermining a private diagnosis. She then engaged in a conversation about methylphenidate.
So in summary if this was just about underfunding resources would be better used:
More flexible working beyond 9-5
More expert clinicians and less incompetence - if the clinician is incompetent how can they effectively discuss cases to their superiors at multi-disciplinary teams?
DD had 5 MH assessments and the NHS was prepared to spend £1000 on an overnight stay. Why not one efficient assessment and some therapy delivered efficiently?
I did complain and hve regular correspondence with the commissioners five years on. I will make a difference to this nd a layer of innate dishonesty and incompetence. My MP nudged them twice, each nudge resulted in support being offered.
But the listing impressions. At DD's first apt at 9.15 when we arrived the building was locked - staff rolled in late for this 9-5 service where the first apt is not at 9 but 9.30, the notices about a fatal orange allergy so do not even drink juice on the day of the apt., the gum chewing, the lost phone numbers, the reductive nature of addressing me as "mum" or "you mum". All little things that create an air of professionalism or lack thereof but which cost nothing.
So it's difficult. Does something so poor deserve more money or is it poor because it has no money. I am convinced that no amount of money will resolve the root and branch issues within CAMHS. Sadly I do not think I encountered one member of CAMHS staff, except the psychiatrist who I met at a formal complaint meeting who actually cared.
DD is fine. The ADHD diagnosis was key evidently depression and anxiety are common co-morbidities. How would CAMHS have diagnosed it if their practitioner don't think older teenagers can have it and when cases are closed once the first session of a 6 week course of counselling has been diagnosed? How does anyone know the outcome in those circumstances.
CAMHS was the most disorganised, incompetent and dishonest service I have ever dealt with. My greatest concern is for the young people who cannot access support privately. DD's came to about £6.5k - BUPA picked up about half.