The mental health and wellbeing of younger people is an important item on the national agenda for the UK. The government released a report called ‘Future in Mind’ in March 2015, which set out a ‘vision for children and young people’s mental health’.
Hampshire Children’s Trust (which includes Hampshire County Council and the five CCGs) has published A Joint Hampshire Strategy for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health (Children and Young People) which includes a vision and priorities for children and young people’s mental health in the county until 2017.
Healthwatch Hampshire decided that now would be a good time to speak to young people who use the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Hampshire.
We wanted to hear about their experiences with CAMHS, to listen to their opinions and to ask what they would like to see in the future. We also spoke with professionals who work regularly with the service in order to hear a broader experience of CAMHS
The young people and professionals who contributed to this project discussed their hopes and concerns for the future provision of children and young people’s mental health services.