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Child mental health

Posted By uniformcr63

"Child mental health"

About: Armadale CAMHS

(as a parent/guardian),

I believe the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is a joke! I have a young child who is having suicidal thoughts and has also been self-harming. They have multiple mental health disorders. One of them is not a recognised disorder here in Australia so we get, in my opinion, absolutely no help for my child financially or otherwise and likewise with their mental health issues. I'm just gobsmacked that nobody seems to want to help a young suicidal child, disgusted actually. Both times we have been to CAMHS they have told us to seek a private psychologist, this is expensive for a large family on one income. They medicated my child and all they want to do is get the GP to up the dose without actually doing anything. What happens when they can't up the dose anymore, will my child become another youth suicide statistic? How bad does it have to get before someone helps my child? I'm trying to do my best as a parent but I need help! 

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Responses

Response from Aresh Anwar, Chief Executive, Child and Adolescent Health Service 4 years ago
Aresh Anwar
Chief Executive,
Child and Adolescent Health Service

Submitted on 3/06/2019 at 11:12 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 11:12 AM

picture of Aresh Anwar

Dear uniformcr63

Thank you for taking the time to write about the difficulties you have experienced in accessing mental health care for your child. Please be assured that your child’s safety and wellbeing is extremely important to us, and we do want to help them, and you. I ask that you would please contact me via Aresh.Anwar@health.wa.gov.au or on 6456 3277 or via PCH switchboard (6456-2222) to provide me with your child’s name. I will speak to the team at CAMHS as a priority to determine how we can best assist your child.

I also need to take this opportunity to let you know that if you feel your child requires an urgent mental health assessment, please bring them to Perth Children’s Hospital or your nearest emergency department. In addition to this, the Child and Adolescent Health Service urgent mental health support line is available 24 hours per day on 1800 048 636.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Dr Aresh Anwar

Chief Executive

Child and Adolescent Health Service

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Response from Aresh Anwar, Chief Executive, Child and Adolescent Health Service 4 years ago
Aresh Anwar
Chief Executive,
Child and Adolescent Health Service

Submitted on 3/06/2019 at 2:36 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:57 PM

picture of Aresh Anwar

Dear uniformcr63

Further to my earlier response, I would like to thank you for speaking with us. I sincerely appreciate your correspondence and you bringing your concerns to our attention.

With warm regards

Dr Aresh Anwar
Chief Executive
Child and Adolescent Health Service

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
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