Norfolk and Suffolk Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

The staff have been brilliant and our daughter has had weekly sessions which have now moved to fortnightly, it is a shame that there are only 6 sessions available though. When she was first assessed she didn't meet the criteria for support and then when she got worse our GP re referred and she was seen the same day.

Even though the my sons consultant at the Maudsley hospital feel he should get support from CAHMS, however, when they referred us back to NSFT we were told that they would discharge us too as they can't provide what is needed. Although he has a need because they can't meet it they want to discharge him.

No appointments are available. Face to face only happen once or twice a year with the psychologist and nothing is really available in between, the support offered is really limited.

Have been waiting for my daughter to receive help for suicidal thoughts and self harm for almost a year.

Teenage ASD daughter repeatedly let down by CAMHS. Have to constantly fight them to try and get them to help with extreme anxiety, self harm and numerous suicide attempts but told little they can do due to ASD

For 6 years I have been trying to get appropriate support for my child. Since transferring in to adult service, it is so much better, but the bar was set pretty low by the children's services. Waiting 6 months for a referral seems reasonable now even though it really is not.

We had a very positive initial response and was referred on to a primary mental health worker who without even speaking to my child decided that the only service that they could offer was a Timid to tiger course. Apparently there is no support for children of primary school age and we should contact the school nurse. Absolutely diabolical service.

Did not explain package of treatment, work with other supporting agencies or work with parents. Did not differentiate for age.

Had to physically show photos before camhs worker believe child was self harming
Because some of the treatments didn't work the camhs ask my child who has processing problems what can they do they didn't address the anxiety in school or suicidal ideation ...
When my child told the phychiatrist she can't get off to sleep they wouldn't even consider medication although she told professionals she's tired wish she could sleep which is triggering low moods the communication is disgusting.
Was told they'd refer her to newberry to check for adhd asd didn't happen.
They assumed my bi polar was the whole picture of her struggles when we had a CAF meeting and they shut it because I'm stable and actually my daughters struggles are triggering my anxiety.
I felt unlistened too
Verbally one thing was said and on paper different
6 sessions of paperwork wasn't adapted for a child who has a report from the salt team saying she's a visual learner
Wouldn't reccomend the service at all ... can break a family apart

We had to chase to get through to right service (Compass). Meetings and sessions were poorly coordinated with incorrect times places - all confusing when we were under great stress. Felt there was little on offer and service seemed out of its depth regarding our problems. Promptly discharged once we had an additional diagnosis of Foetal Alcohol spectrum disorder. Seems you can't have more than one illness/diagnosis- discrimination?? Surely FAS is common in looked after children and could indeed be contributing to the young persons' poor mental health? They are out of date. One meeting was used a 'stick' for Compass to beat social care- most inappropriate. Meridian house itself is in poor, sad condition. Certainly a poor relation of the NHS