What has been your experience of mental health services for children?

[SheABitSpicyToday]

I’m phoning the GP today to get some help for my 7 year old who is suffering from anxiety. I was just wondering what sort of things I can expect?

She’s developed a tick and has shown some regressive behaviour.

Had anyone else been through this with a small child?

I would say, don't hold your breath for CAMHS waiting lists are horrendous, go private if you can.
Will also PM you.

Absolutely shit. My sons under CAMHS as he has autism and pre pandemic started feeling like he didn't want to be here anymore. No support atall. Bet it's worse now.

Many years ago I worked in camhs - it was stretched thin then. It seems to barely offer a service now. Long long waiting lists.
If you can afford it, I’d go privately.

If you can’t, it may be worth asking one of the charities, like Bernardo’s. They often have skilled workers, as does the nspcc. They offer services to families, not just those where there are ‘concerns’
, I don’t mean to sound patronising im sure you’ve done all the obvious but it’s worth trying to do more of the things she enjoys - x

Go private, would be my advice
Trying to get anything from camhs is like battering your head against a brick wall

Awful, truly truly awful. Expect to wait a very long time to get help that feels pointless at best. Good luck

We’ve had amazing support from CAMHS BUT this is sadly because my dd was actively suicidal and harming herself etc. it sounds to me like the support is good but only for children who are at the extreme end. It would be so much better for everyone if children were seen sooner rather than later. I think one of the reasons we were seen so quickly was also because my GP really pushed for an urgent referral. Lose any pride and beg. I did. Good luck to you and your dd.

Unfortunately I agree with the comments about CAMHS - really high thresholds for service and horrendous waiting times. However the health partnerships near us now offer a telephone support line and have commissioned a range of early intervention pre-CAMHS level support services for children and their parents/carers - often delivered by the voluntary sector. Search mental health support for children in your area - I hope you find the support you need.

I’ve arranged a callback from the GP so hoping there might be something they can offer. My psychology degree can only get me so far with her as I didn’t specialise in children!

Ds was initially rejected from camhs because he wasn't a suicide risk. His learning disability meant that he wasn't but he was persistently self injuring himself and hurting other people and had years of involvement from learning disability services who felt anxiety medication was now needed but they couldn't prescribe.
He was then re refered and was rejected because he had learning disability and medication could not be considered without talking therapies. He is non verbal and functions at around 18 months. We then put in a discrimination complaint and he was seen by a psychiatrist who said he had extreme anxiety and prescribed medication.

Maybe depends on your GP and whether they will take you seriously. It’s very, very hard to get help from CAMHS. You can see someone privately more quickly but they may not be much better and of course the cost of ongoing treatment is a big burden. Suddenly it’s fashionable to talk about mental health but honestly it has been ignored for decades and all blamed on the parents.

Agree with @hapagirl. Unfortunately my DD has just turned 18 and amusing have literally just pushed her out the door and slammed it in her face

Support has been good, but long waiting lists

DD was initially referred for CBT 18 months ago. We found her a private therapist as we were warned waiting lists were up to 2 years.

We have had loads of check ins, she’s had some zoom calls and a couple of in person appointments

Recently been referred for habit reversal therapy for self-injurious tics from Tourette’s - we were referred the middle of July and therapy starts end of September so not too bad

My dd required hospital treatment three times after taking overdoses between 12 and 14 years old. She had two sessions at CAMHS. They declared her all Ok so she tried to kill her self again. We got a referral to a local charity. I know the charity well. Can potentially do good work but it's all trainee counsellors. She wouldn't go.

So yes. I really hope you get help. I too would look at Banardos, action for children and nspcc (possibly others) even school maybe? But you may need to go private.

In our area we have a separate service who school can refer to. They pick up children with issues and act as a level before cahms. I have heard mixed reviews but had fantastic service from them. Within 2 months my daughter had 121 sessions to discuss her feelings with an amazing lady and I had a parenting course giving support for undiagnosed children. They may also refer to cahms if needed.

My only issue is I need another referral as her anxiety has come back and gp cannot refer to them so I need to wait until September.

There is a separate service locally that the gp can refer to for anxiety and counselling but that's for over 11 only.