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.

My daughter, Susie, and myself as her carer have been let down by the CAMHS service for the last 4 years.

During that time she has had numerous support workers, therapists and psychiatrists who have left the service due to long waiting lists and demands on the service. The very first therapist that my daughter saw when she started in the service [was good], but then that person left.

CAMHS has failed to provide my daughter with any proper support, and as a result she has now gone into adult mental health services – and still hasn’t had help with the issues that she experienced when she was first involved with CAMHS. The whole CAMHS system is a mess and those running the service need to know how their failings in delivering a proper service impact on the service user and their family.

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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.)