Child Mental Health

Child Mental Health services have been radically reduced over the last year or so. In particular the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), which offers support to numerous children. In some counties there were clinics in every locality but these have been closed and services 'centralised'. Psychotherapists and Play Therapists are now in less demand, with the therapy of the day being Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is seen as a quick and effective fix. This, at a time when the news this morning announced there are too many children taking antidepressant drugs which can cause suicidal feelings in the early stages of treatment. So, what can be done to support our children and young people in the absence of services such as CAMHS? Not all parents can afford to pay for private therapies.