To ask if you've had a positive experience with CAMHs

[Pancakeswithchocolate]

We are currently going through the assessment with DS and, if we make threshold, will go on a waiting list for treatment. It feels like such hard work to try and get some help and I've heard such negative experiences of the CAMHs service. Has anyone had a positive experience? And for those who it's been less positive do you have any advice of how to avoid this?

My experience, which started more than 20 years ago, was that they failed us as a family profoundly. Early failures resulted in later issues. I am so sorry I ever put any trust in them at all to be honest and often think of making an official complaint.

@Mountaingoat12

Where I live in Scotland the waiting list is 2.5 years. So whatever service CAMHS provides after that is fairly meaningless. Every child who has to wait that long is being failed.

The wait in my area is 57 weeks. It's atrocious. We have decided to go private due to this.

my experience with CAMHs is having a meeting with a lady to assess if your child should be on the list for a assessment (in my sons case ASD and ADHD assessment), other then that my experience of CAMHs is having a meeting with a different lady after a couple of years to make sure your child should still be on the waiting list for assesment.

thats it, in 6 years.

My experience so far has been really positive. Referral made by the GP in December, received a phone call within the week to triage DD, first face to face appointment 3 weeks later with a phone call from the psychologist in between. I am in London, I don’t know if that makes a difference. The psychologist is lovely and really supportive.

@Iamuhtredsonofuhtred

My experience so far has been really positive. Referral made by the GP in December, received a phone call within the week to triage DD, first face to face appointment 3 weeks later with a phone call from the psychologist in between. I am in London, I don’t know if that makes a difference. The psychologist is lovely and really supportive.

I am in London too

We were treated well enough - referred because the school encouraged us to seek a diagnosis, given diagnosis of ASD and boxes ticked, which was all we really needed. DC is 'high functioning' and manages OK most of the time, it's just now and again we need to ask for extra support eg extra time in tests.

[quote ArcheryAnnie]@BuddhaBelly I hope your DS is doing a bit better. Mine is, but it's been a long haul.[/quote]
@ArcheryAnnie unfortunately no, we are still struggling although after 2.5 years out of school we have now got him a placement at a specialist school but the trauma from mainstream has really affected him transitioning. Glad to hear things are better for you though, makes me think there's light at the end of the tunnel

I'm in London too, Iamuhtredsonofuhtred and VelvetChairGirl. Referred by the GP, made no difference.

I will remain furious about this experience to the end of my days. Absolutely furious and sad.

To echo a previous poster, don't be fobbed off. Be the squeaky wheel. Follow up everything. Be prepared to jump through hoops to get what you want. Good luck!