To leave my CAMHS job

[Camhsmum]

It's shocking. Absolutely shocking. The wait time for treatment is well over three years in my area and I'm sure it's the same across the country. The treatment we are able to offer is totally inadequate as we are stretched to our limits to see as many people as possible. Told not to do home or community visits as it takes up too much time with travel. Pressure to get children seen and discharged in as little time as possible. Pressure from the government to get the waiting times down. Every day I am dealing with parents begging me to do something to get their child seen and there's nothing I can do about it. Children putting themselves at risk on a daily basis and it's still going to be a three year wait? I've got parents telling me it'll be my fault if something happens to their child. I'm emotionally burned out. Children are being let down at every point in mental health, education, social services and they are still making more cuts! Three year waits but still not budget for more staff??

Of course there are great parts of the job as well. I get to meet some of the most incredible children but I don't even feel I'm able to do that part of my work properly now as I'm so stretched with how often I can see them.

What on earth happens now? Surely children's mental health services can't be left to continue like this?

Sorry I'm rambling now but it's been a long week.

OP, I'm so sorry you're burnt out. I can't answer your AIBU with anything but "only you can decide" but whatever you do, know that you've helped and people appreciate your work - and also you need to prioritise your own mental health.

Working for CAHMS would kill me.

I’m sorry OP - the situation is truly awful.
That’s because the unavoidable truth is that CBT is a politicised form of therapy and the powers that be in NICE have squeezed many other types of therapy practise out of the NHS based on incredibly dodgy (bad science) research evidence to give cheap treatment and gatekeep their own type of therapy.
Anyone interested should read a book called ‘The Cognitive Behavioural Tsunami’ written by a hugely qualified psychotherapist.
I pity anyone working for CAMHS - it is the definition of ‘sausage machine’ with underpaid, overworked staff, who all have good intentions and are truly taken advantage of in the amount of work they have to do with a very sick society.

My daughter has been with CAMHS for over two years now, and through them also with a psychiatrist for 18 months. Without them, I am convinced she wouldn’t still be alive. I couldn’t have saved her from her self harm & suicide ideation/attempts on my own. And she’s not better yet, and so they are still seeing her every week, and helping me to cope as much as they’re helping her. So thank you.
Oh and I’m a teacher - so I sympathise with the struggle of trying to do your best while being woefully underfunded & criticised for not being able to perform miracles.

It's good that you've felt able to air your feelings on MN OP, but can I suggest that you also send a copy of the main part of your post, about the stress etc, that you feel to your MP? So many people in the health service, and other supporting services are under so much pressure, that they quit because of it, but don't tell the powers that be what they're doing. You're feeling the pressure, at least pass it on to those who are responsible for it, and encourage others to do so too.

Meanwhile, thank you for all your efforts, as I know my granddaughter has been helped a lot by CAHMS, and without that, I fear she may not still be with us, so rest assured that the work you do IS appreciated by the recipients and their families, but your reasons for quitting, if you do decide to, should be passed on to those who can chose to try and make a difference, from a position of power.

CAHMS is a nightmare, years waiting then just pinging suicidal kids between charitable services because CAHMS have fuk all to offer. The charities redirected to also have fuk all to offer. Desperate parents and desperate kids receiving review after review with no substantial meaningful therapeutic input, only delay delay delay. The service is a joke.

I don’t blame the staff, it’s not their the service falls short. However I have realised that only I can bring in the changes for my child. Everything is on my shoulders.

My son was treated by CAMHS pre-covid for anxiety and at that time he was offered CBT really very quickly after referral from our GP. I don’t know what the level of service is like locally now as he was discharged after a year or so. But I can’t fault the treatment he received at the time and we’re so grateful for it. It honestly transformed him from a child who would overthink everything and make himself physically ill as a result to a teenager who stood up and spoke in assemblies for election as a school senior student and took a lead role in the school play. As a healthcare professional myself I understand the pressures the NHS is under but I know that everyone is doing the best they can. And what you’re doing makes a huge difference so thank you from the bottom of my heart.