Here's what some young people who have been to CAMHS have to say:
“I was really nervous, I thought they would lay me down on a couch or something! But the psychologist was called Martin and he was funny, and really down to earth. He wasn’t reading questions off a clipboard and he seemed to genuinely care. I wasn’t just another statistic or a day at work for him.”
Sam, age 18
“Just telling someone is the main part. I felt like such a burden was lifted off me.”
Daniel, age 18
“They show you ways you can manage situations, and also prove to yourself that you don’t have to do the things you do. No matter how low you are, there is still a way out.”
Marcus, age 17
“They knew how to deal with me. That’s the most important thing.”
Steven, age 16
“I took one look at the leaflet and saw the word ‘mental’. I thought, why am I going here? The first thing that popped into my head was men in white coats coming to take me away! But they gave me coping mechanisms, they showed me that if I stopped hurting myself, a whole load of possibilities opened up to me. I could have a boyfriend, I could have sleepovers, I could have friends, wear nice clothes, or go to the beach without being ashamed or covering up.”
Claire, age 17
“It’s almost as if it’s given me a new start and I’m raring to go really, I’m chomping at the bit!”
Daniella, age 16
Want to know more? Check out our
FAQs from young people who have been to CAMHS.