What is CAMHS and how can it help my child?

CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. It’s an NHS service that helps children and young people up to the age of 18 who are experiencing emotional, behavioural, or mental health difficulties.

If your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-harm, or other mental health concerns, CAMHS may be able to provide professional help. Access to CAMHS is usually through a GP, school, or healthcare professional, and the service is free of charge.

What can CAMHS help with?
Who is CAMHS for?
What treatments do CAMHS offer?
When should a child be referred to CAMHS?
How do you get help from CAMHS?
What happens in a CAMHS assessment?
How long do CAMHS provide support for?
Are there any alternatives to CAMHS?
Is there an adult version of CAMHS?
Is there anything I can do to help while waiting for CAMHS?
Looking for independent support with children’s mental health?

What can CAMHS help with?

CAMHS supports children and young people who are experiencing ongoing or severe mental health challenges. These can affect how they feel, behave, or cope with daily life. If your child is struggling or you're a young person looking for support, CAMHS may be able to help.

Common issues CAMHS can support

Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression or low mood
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Behavioural problems
Eating disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Trauma or PTSD
Difficulties related to neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD or Autism
Tics and Tourette’s
Problems with emotional regulation or anger

Who is CAMHS for?

CAMHS is designed for children and young people up to 18 years old who need some support with their mental health. Children and teens may be referred if symptoms are having a significant impact on their school life, home life, or relationships.

Speak with your GP or child's school directly for further guidance.

What treatments do CAMHS offer?

CAMHS offers a range of treatments based on your child’s specific needs, age, and the nature of their difficulties. Support is usually provided by a team of mental health professionals, which may include psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, and social workers.

Treatment plans are tailored to each individual and regularly reviewed to ensure they’re effective. Where needed, CAMHS can also coordinate with schools and social care services.

Types of treatment may include:

Talking therapies: such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), family therapy, play therapy, or interpersonal therapy.
Medication: if appropriate, a CAMHS psychiatrist may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
Behavioural support: to help children develop coping strategies and improve emotional regulation.
Parenting support: to guide parents and carers in understanding and supporting their child’s needs.
Group therapy: in some cases, group sessions are offered for children or families.

When should a child be referred to CAMHS?

A referral to CAMHS may be appropriate when a young person is struggling with their mental health and needs some professional support. You should look at assistance from CAMHS if symptoms:

don’t improve with early support from school or your GP
are severe enough to interfere with relationships, school, sleep, or general well-being
involve risk to themselves or others, such as self-harm or suicidal thoughts

Examples of when a referral might be needed include:

long-lasting low mood or anxiety
struggling to manage anger or extreme behaviour
eating problems
difficulty coping after trauma or loss
hearing or seeing things that others don’t
signs of conditions like ADHD, autism, or OCD

How do you get help from CAMHS?

To access support from CAMHS, your child usually needs to be referred by a professional who knows them well. This could include:

your GP
a teacher or school nurse
a health visitor or social worker

In some areas, you may also be able to self-refer directly to CAMHS. This varies depending on your local NHS trust, so it’s worth checking with your GP or searching online for your local service.

If CAMHS isn’t the right option, they may recommend alternative support.

What happens in a CAMHS assessment?

A CAMHS assessment is usually an informal conversation rather than a medical test, and it gives the team a chance to learn more about your child’s symptoms, behaviour, and background.

The assessment may involve:

talking with both you and your child about current concerns
asking about their physical health, school life, relationships, and any past difficulties
completing questionnaires or screening tools
reviewing any reports from school or other professionals (if available)

The appointment may last around an hour. After the assessment, CAMHS will let you know if they can offer support and what form that will take.

How long do CAMHS provide support for?

The length of time CAMHS support lasts can vary depending on your child’s needs, the type of treatment, and how they respond to it. Some children may only need short-term support, while others might benefit from longer-term involvement.

In most cases, support continues until a child is stable or no longer meets the criteria for CAMHS. If ongoing care is needed, the service may arrange a transition to adult mental health services around the age of 17 and in advance of their 18th birthday.

Are there any alternatives to CAMHS?

There are several alternatives if CAMHS isn’t the right fit or if waiting times are too long. Your GP can help you decide which of these services is best for you. These services may include:

Private mental health services: Many families choose to access private assessments or therapy for quicker support.
School counselling services: Some schools offer in-house support through trained counsellors or mental health teams, including Place2Be.
Charities and helplines: Organisations like YoungMinds and Kooth provide free resources, online counselling, and helpline services.
Local authority services: Some areas have youth wellbeing or early intervention hubs that can offer support outside of CAMHS.

Is there an adult version of CAMHS?

While CAMHS supports children and young people up to the age of 18, adult mental health services take over once a person is no longer eligible for CAMHS. These services are usually accessed through a GP referral and may include community mental health teams, psychological therapies (like NHS Talking Therapies), or specialist services depending on the individual’s needs.

If your child is approaching 18, CAMHS will usually help with a transition plan to ensure continuity of care.

Is there anything I can do to help while waiting for CAMHS?

Although waiting for support can feel overwhelming, there are several ways you can help your child in the meantime.

Listen and talk regularly

Let your child know they can talk to you about how they feel, without judgement or pressure to ‘fix’ things.

Keep routines consistent

Regular mealtimes, sleep, and daily structure can provide comfort and stability.

Limit overwhelming triggers

Try to reduce stress where possible. This might mean cutting back on extra activities or managing screen time.

Speak to your child’s school

Teachers, SENCO, or pastoral staff may be able to offer support, make accommodations, or access school-based services.

Use self-help tools

There are free NHS-recommended apps, books, and resources designed to help young people manage anxiety, mood, or behaviour.

We have a number of resources on how you can help your child while waiting for CAMHS support, including how you can help children with anxiety and the causes of depression in young people. You can also check out Autism Unlocked and our Divergent Voices YouTube channel.

How does CAMHS work with schools?

CAMHS often works closely with schools to support children’s mental health. This partnership helps ensure your child receives the right care both in and out of the classroom.

CAMHS professionals can advise teachers, SENCO, and pastoral staff on how best to support a child with emotional or behavioural difficulties. Some teams offer mental health assessments or sessions within the school setting, making support more accessible. Where appropriate, CAMHS may work with the school to develop strategies tailored to your child’s needs.