Stories from: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
We want to make sure that people’s stories of receiving or requesting support from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are heard.
As part of our Truth Project, we’re hearing and sharing people’s real experiences of receiving support from CAMHS, or supporting others to do so.
We know that telling difficult stories in a safe place can be part of healing. And it’s only through hearing people’s actual lived experiences that we can more fully understand what it looks like to ask for help. From these stories, we can start to see what’s working well, and what needs to change.
These stories help shape the things we call for as a charity, and are a source of information for anyone looking to create or change services and projects. The experiences you read here can help shape change.
If you’d like to share your own story, please see the survey here.
Images used are illustrative only, and are not of participants.
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Why are we sharing these stories?
Why stories from CAMHS matter – and what we hope to achieve by sharing them.
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My story (anonymous)
"The CAMHS nurse on the call was lovely – but there would be no support for six months."
Content warning: references to suicide
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My daughter’s story
"They make you feel listened to, and that you’re not “abnormal”. I didn’t feel like we were struggling alone."
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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
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My son’s story
“It’s been impossible to access the right support as he doesn’t seem to fit the mould.”
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My daughter Ims’ story
“Multiple trips to the GP, but we were just put on a waiting list and told to wait weeks or months.”
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Georgia’s story
“I was put down as ‘low risk of harm’ when I was being abused.”
Content warning: sexual abuse
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My daughter Susie’s story
“She has now going into adult mental health services, and still hasn’t had help.”
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My daughter May’s story
"CAMHS refused her because she’s autistic."
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My children’s stories
“Parents and children need to be listened to more”
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My daughter Jez’s story
“CAMHS failed to address her needs, and vilified us in the process.”
