Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Area covered: Portsmouth
 
Service Description
One in ten young people will have a mental health problem that may need the help of specially trained staff, including:

• Depression
• Psychosis
• Eating disorders (e.g. anorexia and bulimia)
• Self harm
• Emotional problems

Our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) treats young people up to the age of 18 years where there are concerns about their behaviour or emotional well-being. It also works closely with their family, carers and other agencies who support them. CAMHS staff are health professionals who have had specialist training in child and adolescent mental health. The team includes nurses, therapists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists and primary mental health workers.
 
Referral Method
Referrals are accepted from any professional in health, education, social services and the voluntary sector. In the case of school/ college based problems, interventions should have taken place with the appropriate professionals from that service before the referral is made e.g. with schools, educational psychologists, education welfare officers, school nurses or the multiagency behaviour support team (MABS).
Referral can be made in writing or by telephone either on 023 9265 3433 for the Primary Mental Health Workers or 023 9268 4700 for any other team.
 
CAMHS operate as a multidisciplinary team. Therefore it is preferred that referrals are made to the team and not to a named professional. On completion of the initial assessment, cases will be allocated to a key worker, in accordance with the agreed treatment plan. Referrals are taken for children and young people up to 18 years.
 
Contact
Falcon House
St James’ Hospital
PO4 8LD
Telephone: 023 9268 4700
Fax: 023 9268 4701
 
Battenburg Clinic
North End
PO2 0TA
Telephone: 023 9265 3433
Fax: 023 9242 8804