RQIA Independent Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health ...

Young people stated:
“I have five different
services. I am told
when I have to speak
to someone and
why.” Western Trust
"When we were with the
community CAMHS team they
were brilliant but when we moved
to inpatients it was dreadful.”
South Eastern Trust
Furthermore, young people were asked if they met CAMHS staff prior to their
move, only five of the 21 young people stated that this had occurred.
Advocacy Services and Help Lines
Sixty-seven per cent of young people had not or did not know if they had
received information on advocacy services or other help lines.
Young people reported they were not informed; they had not heard of
advocacy, and they did not understand the relevance to them. Of those who
had been made aware of help lines, Lifeline was mentioned most frequently
and VOYPIC’s advocacy service had been utilised by some young people. It
is worthy of note that all young people who were resident in Beechcroft had
been made aware of advocacy and other help lines.
Young people stated that:
“They don’t tell you what’s out there to
access. It is as if they don’t want you to
be involved with other people.”
Southern Trust
“I was never told
about any helpline
services.”
South Eastern
Trust
Specialised Treatments
Fifty-nine per cent of young people stated that they had been offered services
which included family therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapy,
speech therapy, art therapy. Generally those who had been offered specialist
services had found them very useful and a positive experience. Three young
people commented negatively about family therapy, stating that they did not
find it beneficial and thought it was intrusive.
One young person stated:
“I was offered O.T. I think I had family
therapy. I remember mum and dad
being in a room with me to talk about my
condition.” Southern Trust
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