Libby’s story
“I felt the dietitian cared. But a lot of the professionals I saw didn’t treat me with respect.”
Content warnings: self-harm, eating-related mental health difficulties
This story is presented as written. As such, views expressed below are the personal opinion of the author. Health systems are complex places to navigate for everyone working and existing within them; stories are presented to help find ways forward – and to reduce shame, not shift it.
I was treated by CAMHS on two occasions between the ages of 14 and 16. I was treated for self-harm and bulimia.
I saw a dietician and an occupational therapist. I remember doing body image work such as mirror therapy and was provided with a meal plan and was weighed regularly. I was discharged the first time whilst I was still engaging in eating disorder behaviours and self harming.
The dietician particularly good and would check in with me every time I was weighed and make sure I was doing okay with my mood and the self-harm side of things. She didn’t just do what was in her job description and I felt like she cared.
They didn’t offer much warmth or kindness.
A lot of the professionals I saw didn’t really treat me with respect. One told me ‘you’re not depressed you self harm out of habit.’ I was at the time being abused and had been groomed online previously (they didn’t know about this, but they didn’t bother asking either). They didn’t offer much warmth or kindness. I felt they were fed up with me before we even started.
The second time I was referred I didn’t want help as I didn’t find them helpful the first time and was discharged for not engaging.
Share your experiences
If you want to share your experiences around CAMHS, please consider completing our survey below.
We are gathering people’s stories of CAMHS to help us shape our calls for what needs to change, and to highlight the things that work well.
For more information, and to access the survey, click here.
If you are in a mental health crisis, please read this paragraph
If you have been affected by anything in this story and would like to talk to someone you can call Samaritans on 116 123. You can also call the national mental health support line for advice on 111 (press 2.)