Read on Twitter
I've seen that CAMHS is trending at the moment and looking through it, I'm seeing lots of negative stories about this underfunded service.
T/W - mental health and suicide
#CAMHS
T/W - mental health and suicide
#CAMHS
I started going to a CAMHS centre at around 13/14 years old after an argument with my parents that led to them finding out about my depression and self harming. However, to be seen by anyone, it took a suicide attempt and I was put on the red flag list.
Over the course of 4 years I went through 4/5 different psychologists/counsellors. Some were extremely helpful and helped me to realise my potential and what I was worth. 2 of those people left the CAMHS I was at to work somewhere else.
One of the counsellors creeped me out and offered me (when I was 14) anti-depressants without consulting my parents and never told them either (I later found out my parents never knew a lot about my CAMHS sessions so they didn't know how to help or support me).
Another wrapped me in a bubble and so when I tried to help myself I would be told not to and that I had to fully rely on these anti-depressants that they had given me that didn't actually help me. This was also when I tried another suicide attempt and felt at my most alone
during my years with depression.
However, my final psychologist was a star. I didn't like him at first and he knew that. I don't like being vulnerable or showing emotions as I see it as a weakness (an unhelpful trait I managed to teach myself) and yet
However, my final psychologist was a star. I didn't like him at first and he knew that. I don't like being vulnerable or showing emotions as I see it as a weakness (an unhelpful trait I managed to teach myself) and yet
He listened and suggested things. He pushed me out of my comfort zone and always told me the truth as well as kept my parents updated. They became more involved. He changed my anti-depressants from fluoxetine to sertraline, helped me build positive habits and
really helped me see who I was. I came off my anti-depressants about two weeks before my 18th birthday and I am now 20 and about to complete a degree in criminological psychology. It's not where I thought I would be considering I hated myself for a long time.
The reason I post this is because I've seen the good and bad of CAMHS. It has the potential to be a fantastic service for people but needs to funding and support.
