Sussex CAMHS has been experiencing a significant increase in the number of referrals since September 2020, due to the pandemic and the easing of lockdown restrictions. The level of need we are experiencing is having an adverse effect on waiting times for initial assessments and treatment.
We appreciate how difficult it is for children and young people, families and carers to be on a waiting list and we are doing everything we can to prioritise and manage this need and ensure that help is offered in a timely way to those that most need it.
All referrals will be reviewed as an initial risk screening within 24 hours (during working hours) but for the majority of referrals there will be a significant period of time where you may not receive contact from the service due to the current volume of demand. We are therefore not in the position to respond to questions or queries regarding appointments or the waiting list. We are grateful for your patience and understanding and for treating our staff with kindness and respect.
If you need advice and support now, the Sussex Mental Health Line can triage, support and signpost children, young people, parents, carers and health professionals , who have concerns or queries regarding mental health and wellbeing.
The Sussex Mental Health Line service is available 24/7. Call 0800 0309 500 or click here for more information.
Many people experience poor mental health at some stage in their life and this can cause difficulties for both the young person and their wider family. With the correct support most people recover fully and are able to manage their mental health better. Below details some of the support that can help young people with this. Click the relevant button below to support you with what to do next.
There are many services that help young people with emotional and mental health needs. Most young people find these services help them to recover and to manage their emotions/mental health, without the need for CAMHS support.
Below are a few links that are specific to Sussex, and others providing help across the country.
Below is a general guide to help you decide what may be helpful for your child.
More specific referral guides, actions and resources for worry, low mood, trauma, eating difficulties and behaviour of concern can be found on the parent/carer and professional help sections on this website under the corresponding topic headings.
Links to those topic pages can be found under the general referral guidance below.
Coping / need for support
Nature (type) of Difficulties
What To Do
Need for help
Nature (type) of Difficulties
What To Do
Young Minds Parents Helpline: 08088025544
Family Lives Helpline: 08088002222
Need for specialist intervention / crisis management
Nature (type) of Difficulties
What To Do
Sussex CAMHS provides specialist mental health support services. In the majority of cases, it is more beneficial for a child or young person to be referred into our services via a GP, health practitioner or through their school, if they have tried other methods of support and have given these other interventions time to work. More information can be found here.
Our services also accept self-referrals from parents and carers.
Brighton & Hove
You can self-refer to the Brighton & Hove Wellbeing Service, which is the hub for all mental health referrals for young people in Brighton & Hove, including CAMHS: brightonandhovewellbeing.org/children-and-young-people
East Sussex
You can self-refer to the East Sussex Single Point of Advice (SPoA) for young people experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties: sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/east-sussex-spoa
West Sussex
You can self-refer to the West Sussex Single Point of Access (SPoA), which is for young people aged 4-18 who require support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health: sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/west-sussex-spoa
Referrals for specialist services
You can self-refer to Early Intervention and Psychosis: sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/service-early-intervention-psychosis-east
Referrals to our Sussex Family Eating Disorder service must come via a GP – sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/eatingdisorder
Information to include in a referral