Our child and adolescent mental health teams are #StillHereToHelp

The Trust is reassuring young people and families that our child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) are #StillHereToHelp during the coronavirus pandemic.

Providing support and treatment for significant mental health or behavioural difficulties in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, our CAMHS services continue for those children, young people and families that use our services; but are just being delivered in different ways.

Over the last few weeks our CAMHS teams have transformed the way they deliver services to limit the spread of the virus, using technology, such as video calls, to help to continue to deliver services whilst keeping everyone safe.

Our CAMHS teams are still taking new referrals. Referrals can be made as usual by a range of health and care professionals including; GPs, hospital staff, schools and voluntary services such as local charities.

Dave Ramsay, deputy district director at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our biggest worry is that children, young people and families that need mental health support are anxious about accessing our services due to the pandemic.

“We therefore wanted to make it clear that we are #StillHereToHelp.

“It’s very important that those who are struggling seek help and support early, to prevent any mental health concerns worsening in the future.

“Staff, children, young people and families have adapted so quickly to our new ways of working, which has allowed us to continue delivering the work we do in the safest way possible.

“You have all been amazing, so we just wanted to say thank you also.”

A clear message from all CAMHS staff is that mental health is everyone’s business, and that there are little things we all can do to positively support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

CAMHS advice for parents/carers who are looking after children and young people that may be struggling with their mental health and wellbeing during lockdown is:

• Stick to routines the best you can, for example keep usual bed and wake up times
• Don’t worry about the small stuff; there will be things you have to negotiate on
• Make time to have fun together and find fun and creative ways to get things done from school work to house chores
• Support children and young people to stay connected; through video calls or even writing letters to friends or family
• Keep a balanced diet and usual meal times
• Spend as much time outdoors whilst following government guidance and have daily exercise
• Use mindfulness and relaxation techniques
• Take advantage of the situation and spend time together as a family
• Seek help early, if you think there is a mental health concern.

It’s important to remember that there is lots of support available for differing mental health and wellbeing needs, from local charities, schools, GPs, talking therapies and CAMHS.

Visit our dedicated coronavirus mental health and wellbeing web pages for further information.