Why are CAMHs still not doing face to face if hairdressers are open and schools are functioning with bubbles of 15?

[WatchingBees]

Really don’t understand why children are still not getting much needed face to face sessions for 1 child at a time but hairdressers are open and schools have functioned with 15 at a time.

My daughter prefers online contact for CAHMS. What's the reason you want direct face to face?

'Guess they don't bring in the cash'

That's right though isn't it. Getting the economy moving is VITAL. Otherwise there would never be any money for camhs. That's where it comes from. People paying for hairdressers etc.

They want to get the economy moving to be able to pay for services, and they need to prevent people dying from covid. So, get things going which help the economy, and avoid mixing for those that don't, makes absolute sense.

I'm sorry for you, but in these times, what they're doing does make sense.

Did you read OPs second post @chaoticisatroll55? Mental health professionals will be well aware too that some engage better face to face.

It does seem to vary so much trust to trust. I’m a community mental health nurse (adults, not children) and we’re only doing face to face for people in acute crisis and to administer injections etc. I think there is a belief that a lot of mental Heath interventions can simply be done over the phone as “just involves talking”. I’m not 100% I agree and CAMHS would be a different ballgame. Several of our staff have been redeployed to testing centres (swabs and bloods for antibody testing) which does complicate things further.

I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this OP.

The reason if as some people say some teens engage with the health professionals better face to face ( although I think that's the parents view not the teen personally) is money. It's cheaper. Now they have discovered it's cheaper and better for many to do remotely there's no going back!

@WatchingBees

Schools have staff shielding.

A blanket we’re not doing face to face isn’t needed for a few shielding staff.

Shielding restrictions have been lifted somewhat too. I’m talking about now not the beginning of lockdown.

People who are shielding are still not supposed to be going back to work. Even after 1st August, they shouldn't go back unless they can work in a socially distanced way.

CAMHS services are shit, some of this is about funding and resources, some of this is about management and staff attitudes. The whole lot needs a huge shake up, but the reality is that even if you deal with all the attitudes and lack of skills / knowledge they still have an impossible task. They're woefully underfunded, so you'll end up with people burning out and having bad attitudes again.

Adult face to face counselling isn’t going ahead either as far as I’m aware.

This is totally shit for you, I’m so sorry. Part of the reason may be that if their therapy rooms are small, this will raise risk, as the virus spreads much more easily in a confined space. Of course, it could just be that your trust are useless. I hope you get something satisfactory soon.

I think it's important to heed the silent warning. If the NHS and Council run services are not returning to normal then we should continue to be careful.

Adult face to face counselling isn’t going ahead either as far as I’m aware.

It depends where you are, my sister was released from hospital a few days before lockdown, one of the conditions of her release (she was sectioned) was that there would be engagement with her worker weekly. She hasn't heard a thing from them until last week saying they were resuming face to face meetings (she didn't have the option of any remote support). Good job we were there to help look after her and check she was coping, for many they don't have that and it's terrifying.

children's mental health just isn't as important in the UK at all. At least nowhere near as much as a haircut or a pint in the pub.

Completely agree with you though, OP. It's shambolic.