Author wishes to remain anonymous

My experience with CAMHS was brief yet disappointing. I feel my story centres around the lack of support from CAMHS.  

I was sent to A&E after [attempting to end my life.] I was severely depressed, after unfortunate circumstances that had happened, and wanted to end my life.  

I went to A&E incredibly distressed and was met with little support or guidance. I spoke to a triage nurse who was not trained in mental health issues who caused more harm than good, though that’s another story.  

I was then sent home after examining my physical state, and was told to ring the GP, who referred me to CAMHS. We did an online assessment with a nurse, who to be honest was lovely and made me feel heard, though even she was disappointed in the support I’d received from CAMHS in the A&E department.  

I should have been met with a CAMHS crisis team in hospital, however I was never told about one even existing, let alone interacting with them.  

I was sent home that night afraid and hurting, and was sent away from the one place I expected help from. The CAMHS nurse on the call was lovely, yet knew that they wouldn’t provide any help for at least 6 months, if that.  

I later received a letter explaining that there is nothing they can do, and telling me to try online resources, the same resources sent by the GP a few weeks earlier.  

I accessed private therapy in the end, and have begun to recover. However, the lack of support from both the doctors and CAMHS could have resulted in a further mental decline which potentially could have cost me my life.  

It is so unfortunate how many young people look to our CAMHS team for support when they’re feeling the most vulnerable, yet are turned away when they try. We are told to talk about how we feel, yet turned away when we try. I hate to see how many young people lose their lives due to a lack of support.  

Something needs to change, CAMHS needs to be funded properly and waiting lists need to be reduced.  

Thank you for giving us a voice

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.)