CAMHS

What is CAMHS?

CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Teams across the UK work with children from birth to 18 who are suffering, or are at risk of, mental health disorders. It is estimated that one in ten children between the ages of one and 15 has a mental health disorder.

The teams cover conditions such as autism / Aspergers, ADHD, depression, eating disorders, self harm, attachment disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, abuse and many more.

CAMHS teams in the UK are dangerously underfunded, and this has been well documented int the national press. There has been a significant drop in funding for community support work for families at risk, so more and more children are being referred to hospital CAMHS teams when they reach crisis.

MedEquip4Kids launched an appeal to help CAMHS teams across the UK in July 2014. To date we have delivered over £75,000 of resources, books, toys and diagnostic kits to help support this work. 

How can we help?

We know that there is a need nationally that is not currently being met. Children and families respond better to intervention when they have more tools and resources at their disposal, but CAMHS teams do not have a budget for any resources, toys or reference materials.

We will be accepting applications from CAMHS teams across the UK. Applicants can apply for resources up to the value of £1,000. A list of suggested items is included in the application pack, but applicants are welcome to add any other resources they think would be of use.

Items include reference books for parents, picture books for children, stress toys and games for children to take into school, mood cards to help with communication and understanding emotion, and diagnostic kits to help staff reach a diagnosis and provide the correct support.

The current round of applications has closed. 

If you have any urgent requests please contact:  evelyn@medequip4kids.org.uk