Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Introduction
CAMHS is provided for children, adolescents and their families. It is offered to children and adolescents who may be having problems such as: ! anxiety; ! bereavement; ! depression; ! eating disorder; ! obsessive compulsive disorder; ! post traumatic stress disorder/acute stress disorder; ! psychosis; ! self harm.
The service is also offered to parents who feel that they have problems managing their children or feel that their own difficulties are affecting their children.
The service is also available to help children, adolescents and their families with mental helath issues related to physical or learning disabilities.
The service
An initial appointment at the beginning of the process determines with the family if this is the best service to help at this time.
The types of treatment available include: ! psychiatric assessment; ! psychological assessment; ! Counselling; ! intensive psychotherapy; ! family therapy; ! specialist nursing and social work support. Referrals
Referrals can be made by any professional working with children eg health visitor, school nurse, social worker, GP, school or teacher.
Contact details for CAMHS
Basildon CAMHS Southend-on-Sea CAMHS Great Oaks Clinic Warrior House Town Centre 42-82 Southchurch Road Basildon Southend-on-Sea Essex Essex SS14 1EH SS1 2LZ 01268 366700 01702 577090
Brentwood CAMHS Thurrock CAMHS Norton Road Clinic Wrightsure House 24 Norton Road 62 Maidstone Road Ingatestone Grays Essex Essex CM4 0AB RM17 6NF 01277 350610 01375 816900
Castle Point & Rochford CAMHS Thundersley Clinic 8 Kenneth Road Thundersley SS7 3AT 01268 366800 Early Intervention in Psychosis Service Introduction
This specialist service works with people aged 14-35 yrs who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis, no matter what the cause of symptoms, whether it is drug induced or related to a bipolar disorder or a primary psychotic illness. This intensive service is available to people with psychosis and their carers for a maximum of three years.
Psychosis is a term used to describe conditions that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality. Hallucinations, such as hearing voices delusions (false beliefs), paranoia and disorganized thoughts and speech are some of the symptoms that may be experienced. These symptoms can seem so real that often the person does not realize that they are experiencing psychosis. Psychosis also affects feelings and behaviour.
The service also work with people with low level psychotic symptoms such as, odd beliefs, altered sensations particularly in their hearing and vision, a family history of psychosis, fleeting psychotic symptoms and/or changes in their mental state.
Early intervention aims to reduce both the duration and severity of acute psychosis and improve a persons social functioning and assist them in staying or getting back into employment or education.
The service
The service is a community based multidisciplinary team which provides assistance and interventions at a time and location that are convenient to the person with psychosis. Joint working and collaboration with other agencies are key elements of our approach to providing the best available service.
Service provision includes: ! advice, information and assessment; ! youth friendly services, emphasising social recovery; ! seeing people in their homes or other non stigmatising settings; ! assertive outreach approach; ! an assessment period of up to three months; ! comprehensive package of care for a duration of two - three years; ! low dose neuroleptic medication; ! cognitive behavioural therapy for hallucinations and delusions; ! family intervention; ! relapse prevention strategies; ! support/advice for family, carers and friends; ! help with returning to work or education; ! hospital admission arranged when necessary. Referrals
Anyone can refer to us if they feel concerned about a person’s mental health. People can refer themselves; friends or family can contact us; or any health or related profession (GP’s or youth workers for example).
Contact details for our Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
Early Intervention Service Boleyn Two Runwell Hospital Runwell Chase Wickford Essex SS11 7XX 01268 366304