Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service Child & Adolescent ...

What is CAMHS?Who do we see?What is the usual assessment &treatment process?South West Healthcare Child &Adolescent Mental Health Service is aspecialist clinical assessment andtreatment service for infants, childrenand youth up to 18 years of age. It ismade up of a team of professionalsincluding psychologists, psychiatrists,social workers, Occupational Therapistsand Nurses.Offices are located in Warrnambool,Portland, Hamilton, and Camperdown,with staff travel to the surrounding areasto see clients and their families, and liaisewith other practitioners, in their localcommunities.CAMHS accepts referrals of young peopleup to 18 years of age who reside within theshires of Warrnambool, Glenelg, Moyne,Southern Grampians, and Corangamite.Concerns seen by CAMHS include- clinical mental health disorders, suchas mood and anxiety disorders,eating disorders, and early or acutesigns of psychosis;- a pervasive pattern of significantrelationship problems or risk-takingbehaviour;- Pervasive Developmental Disordersrequiring a diagnostic assessment (forchildren over 6 years of age only)- Distressed infants or troubled parent–infant relationshipsInitial discussions with the referrer andfamily, generally over the phone, helps toclarify the best course to take, whetherthrough further assessment or treatmentwithin CAMHS, or advice around othercommunity based options.If a young person requires further CAMHSintervention, initial sessions are spentgaining a better understanding of theyoung person’s and parental concerns, aswell as issues around development,learning and relationships. Through this weseek to clarify possible contributing factorsand diagnostic issues relating to theirconcerns.The focus is on healthy developmentthrough time-limited interventions.Treatments offered are current,evidence-based and family inclusive,taking into consideration all aspects ofthe young person’s functioning.CAMHS focuses on those youngpeople most in need of specialist mental healthservices, at their time of need, without relying ona waiting list.A plan can then be developed with theyoung person & their family for how wecan best help. Individual and family-basedinterventions are usual options.