CAHMS

[Art3mis]

Dd (14) has just come down out of the blue and said that she has made an appointment with CAHMS. When asked why, she just said that she has been feeling shitty and wanted to speak to someone about it. Aside from feeling a bit crappy that she doesn't feel like she can talk to me, I'm a bit stunned tbh.

Is there anything we should expect for / following the appointment?

I've not had experience of this OP, but personally I'd think it was a good thing she wanted to speak to someone if she's struggling. It may not be you for any number of reasons (doesn't want to worry you, upset you, part of her growing individually, confidentiality). Doesn't mean she might not come to you at a later time if she wanted to; she might even share more in the future once she's spoken to CAHMS, but I wouldn't have any expectations around that, as long as she is finding the help she wants from whatever source is right for her.

Has she been referred by her GP?
In our area it's actually very difficult to get a CAMHs appointment. Even if CAMHs do agree to see you, which they don't always do, it can be a very long wait for an appointment ie several months.
I'm only saying that because if your daughter does need someone to speak to you may want to see if there is an alternative option for her to seek help from where she might be seen sooner.

That is so cool that she wants to get better. I'm so sorry if that sounds patronising, but the biggest obstacle with MH problems can be getting engagement from those who suffer.

Teens finding it hard to talk to their parents is an age old problem. And she DOES want to talk to you. She told you she made an appointment, didn't she. You know with teens they don't know how to start, that's where trained professionals are great at helping them find the words. Don't feel you failed her.

It will be a miracle if she has got an appt that easily
My dc didn't get a quick appt after a suicide attempt and then only got a risk assessment. 5 months later we are still waiting for anything other than a risk assessment

DD's initial appointment after referral from our GP was to see if they felt she warranted any further appointments. She waited ages for it and had psyched herself up and came out very flat and upset. She wasn't prepared for another very long wait for the next step.

When my dd got referred by the school it was a 6 month wait to even get seen. Do you think she was referred prior to this phone call?

You can self refer to CAMHS in some areas, we can here but the waiting list is over a year long even if there's some safeguarding issues.

I'd expect a long wait for an appointment.

Thanks for that.

She showed me the initial email which she sent last week, so she has self referred and she had had a reply within 48h, with an appt for the middle of next week. By the sounds of things we are lucky here to be able to get an appt this quickly.

They probably have a target of 95% assessed within 28 days. So ~10 days not so crazy. Support her to actually go the appointment. Best of luck. x