Description
Therapeutic Relationships in Mental Health | Crisis in CAMHS services
Numerous reports highlight the immense pressure on CAMHS services. Last year, a record 1.4 million children and young people sought NHS help for mental health problems and there is growing concern that under-18s are grappling with issues related to finances and education. The number of school-age children referred to CAMHS has surged by 76% since 2019, according to NHS figures.
Former Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield has expressed concern over long waiting times, resulting in only the most severe crises being prioritized. Shockingly, some children who attempted suicide were not offered support because they did not meet the threshold of multiple attempts. Front clinical staff are struggling to keep up with the complexity and number of cases coming into the services.
These alarming statistics are mirrored in a recent report from the Children’s Commissioner for England, which emphasises that many children are seen in crisis and hospitalised when earlier intervention could have prevented such outcomes.
Dr Elaine Lockhart, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Faculty of Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry has highlighted the devastating impact of the mental health crisis on the well-being of our children and young people.
In this event, we will hear firsthand accounts from clinicians working in frontline CAMHS teams about the pressures they face. Join us for a crucial conversation aimed at outlining the problem, identifying its causes, and exploring interventions that could make a meaningful difference.
Marcus Evans (Psychoanalyst, Registered Mental Nurse) will be in conversation with Ana Rivadulla Crespo (Consultant Child and adolescent Psychiatrist), Kate Mills (Child Psychotherapist) and Siobhan Bryant (Mental Health nurse, Psychodynamic Counsellor)
Chaired by Olive Burke (Psychoanalyst, Consultant Child and adolescent Psychiatrist)
