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CAMHS. Need to fill in a referral, please help!

11 replies

Jux · 09/07/2012 14:18

DD is very disturbed as a result of multiple, and very close, bereavements at a young age. She is 12 now. Has done some self-harming, is very isolated at school - and at home really - has very little contact with people her age, but has many 'friends' who are elderly (surrogate gps) through the church.

When the last 2 people died she had just turned 10; she will be 13 in a few months and I believe her state of mind has deteriorated.

We were referred to CAMHS a couple of years ago through her primary school nurse who was very concerned about her. The first meeting was a crisis meeting, but actually the crisis was past. We had a second meeting where they took family history. This was completely derailed by dh crying for the whole time about his dad. As a result of this dh refused to have anything further to do with them, called them charlatans and quacks, and persuaded dd that they were not to be trusted, they were useless and that they would be no help. She has consequently refused to have anything to do with any counsellors.

When she went up secondary school I wrote a long letter explaining the history, as dd clearly was not 'over it' and may have required some additional support. They have been fantastic but are making no headway and dd now refuses to see the school counsellors too.

We had a letter from MASH as someone had contacted them recently about dd's state of mind, and though the letter they sent us said they had investigated and found no need for further action, when I rang them they suggested CAMHS again.

I have spoken to CAMHS, who sent me the referral form, and said they could just see me initially, in order to try to find a way to persuade dd to agree to see someone.

She has been self-harming.
She often says she is depressed and that suicide is attractive, though I am sure she has no intention of actually doing it.
She has chosen a belief system which is a bit 'out there' and loses no opportunity to tell people about it (a bit like a fundamentalist Christian might). The school counsellor and the Head of year have told her to stop as it has an effect on the other pupils. Also it isolates her further.
She has some sort of problem with her hip/leg, but nothing can be found. The consultant said this is not that unusual and children generally grow out of it.

I know that when she finds I have referred her she will see it as the biggest act of betrayal possible.

What I need help with is how to fill in this blasted form. There is a tiny space - I'll get about 3 lines in. I though I'd attach a copy of the letter I sent to the school too, but things have moved on a lot since then.

This is particularly hard as I know dh is absolutely against it. Won't help, won't support, may actively work against it. He won't discuss it, except to say that they are stupid and don't understand the cause because they are too busy ticking their boxes and trying to shove us in with all 'those type of people' ie, DV and other types of abuse. He says we should trust dd when she says she can deal with it herself, but it seems to me that inside she's screaming.

I have no idea if I'm doing the right thing.

OP posts:
fallingwater · 09/07/2012 17:16

Dear Jux,

My heart goes out to you, you brave, honest Lady. I can see how this must be an uphill struggle for you, but you only have your DDs best interest at heart, and sooner or later your DH and DD will thank you for it. At present, I can only suggest you seek help from bereavement support groups, which can sometimes be of great help. My Social Worker forwarded me the contact details of CHUMS, who offer support to young people and their parents/carers (your DH might find it helpful too, as he can talk and open up about his Dad!?)
e-mail them at [email protected]

Jux · 09/07/2012 18:58

Thank you.

DH had bereavement counselling. So did dd. (Funnily enough, the main bereavements they needed counselling for were of my mum, my brother and my cousin; when I asked for bereavement , I was directed to the Mood Gym! They were my relatives, but I didn't merit counselling Hmm ). Ah well, maybe I could try again. Seeing the gp again in a couple of weeks.

DH will not - ever - thank me for this. He will only see it as an act of betrayal and will blame me wholly for anything which comes of it - and I am sure it will be worse before it gets better. DD may eventually, but I think that in the time it takes her to forgive me, she will go to dh and he will tell her that he thinks I was wrong and that he doesn't/didn't agree to it. The fallout will be horrible.

Be that as it may, I think I have to do this. And I've realized I haven't said which bit of the form I need help with.

Reason for this referral.
History.
Current situation.

The space gives about room for 3 or 4 lines, if you write small.

OP posts:
Jux · 10/07/2012 10:29

I'm just going to have to write a essay like my op and say 'see attached' aren't I?

OP posts:
Jux · 10/07/2012 10:30

An essay, of course!

OP posts:
ColouringIn · 10/07/2012 10:36

Jux, yes you are definitely doing the right thing, from your OP it appears your DH has his own issues which are threatening to him hence his reaction to the initial crisis meeting.

I remember some of your previous posts regarding your DD's belief system and there is stuff within it which might help her too as there is much written about caring for herself and her needs.

Write your extra stuff and put "see attached" because ithout a doubt the more there is on paper the better the idea they will have about the support she needs.

Jux · 10/07/2012 14:46

I thought I might put a list of bullet points: s-h, depression, suicidal thought, isolation etc, and then an attached list with those points explained a bit more.

That would be current situation.
History I think would be covered by the letter I wrote to the school a year or so ago.
Reason for referral, though? In what way is that different from current situation? Do I just put something as open as concerns over my daughter's state of mind?

OP posts:
Jux · 10/07/2012 14:56

Yes, ColouringIn, I have no real problems with Wicca, as it seems a very gentle, kind way of living, live and let live, tolerant, being more aware of your life as it fits in with your environment and the natural world (slightly like only eating seasonal veg! -over-simplistic example, I know).

However, the school are upset about it because, I think, there is mention of witches, and they have the common misconception associated with the word. The other children probably think along Harry Potter lines and think dd is mad, and heaven knows what parents think if their child comes home talking about a witch in their class... Grin

OP posts:
Brightspark1 · 10/07/2012 22:36

Your post was to the point and very clear, if you just put on the form what you've put here, that will be enough. The reason for referral could just be put that you are worried about her mental health. They just need a point to start from. The main issue seems to be with your DH, he needs to engage with this too and that is obviously going to be a problem. Surely he must see that DD's SH needs addressing. I really hope things turn out xx

Jux · 10/07/2012 23:38

BrightSpark, thank you. Yes, dh will be a problem, weep wail "I hate to see my little girl like this" and then veto everything. I'll get there somehow.

OP posts:
ColouringIn · 11/07/2012 07:09

Hi Jux, is your DD familiar with The Pagan Federation ? Just asking as they have resources on there about explaining it all to schools and school friends.

I thought it was cool to be witchy/vampire/gothic these days but shows what I know Grin.

As you say Wicca is a very gentle and Earth based faith. Certainly of your DD is finding what she needs within it then that is great.

Jux · 11/07/2012 08:46

ColouringIn, she does go to the PF site occasionally. She has told me that there are actually a few Pagans/Wiccans at school (she has mentioned a couple of them before). One of them, apparently, brings in tarot cards, scrying mirrors etc and does readings and stuff during break times. Why the teachers have picked on dd therefore is beyond me. Her religious teacher has asked her to do a presentation on Wicca today so she's gone in with lots of stuff and a 6 minute speech.

I think I'm going to phone the school and point all this out. It may be simply that dd's tutor finds it objectionable and the other girl's tutor doesn't. Perhaps a parent has complained.

The form is nearly done, btw.

OP posts:
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