Type
CAMHS in the CommunityThe CAMHS Crisis team provides a fast response for children and young people who need urgent help with their mental health and safety.
Depending on the needs of the young person, the team can offer mental health assessment, safety planning and short spells of treatment. We also work with other services (including schools and social care) to make sure that support for the young person is joined up.
Our aim is to work together with young people to encourage and support their recovery and safety. We can make reasonable adjustments for learning disabilities and/or neurodivergence.
Who is this service for? Children and young people up to the age of 18 who are registered with a GP in Northamptonshire and need urgent mental health help.
How do I register for this service?
The CAMHS Crisis team accepts referrals from a range of professionals, including acute hospitals, other CAMHS teams, police, social services, GPs, NHS 111, other NHS trusts and education settings.
All referrals should be submitted via our Referral Management Centre.
Meet the team
Our team is led by a Service Manager, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Team Lead and Senior Nurses, and is supported by Administration staff. The team includes:
Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs)
All of our MHPs have a qualification in either mental health nursing, learning disability nursing, occupational therapy or social work.
Family Support Workers
Some young people may need practical and/or emotional support to help them manage their daily lives and to keep them safe. Our Family Support Workers are here to help with this.
Carer Peer Support Worker
Sometimes parents and carers need extra support while their young person is working with the CAMHS Crisis team. Our Carer Peer Support Worker is an expert by experience who is here to listen and support. Parents and carers can work with the Carer Peer Support Worker for between 2 and 4 sessions.
Some interesting facts about our team
- Together, our Mental Health Practitioners have more than 70 years of experience working with the CAMHS Crisis team
- Our longest-serving colleague has worked in the team for more than 10 years
- Outside of work we have a range of weird and wonderful interests, from fishing, jigsaws, running and knitting to watching reality TV, netball, badminton and Pokémon hunting!
Useful resources and links
CAMHS Consultation Line
If you have concerns about your wellbeing you can contact the CAMHS Consultation Line on 0800 170 7055 (Option 1, Option 1) for advice and support. The line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm.
CAMHS Live
CAMHS Live is a live online chat service where young people (aged 13 years and older) and parents / carers can access emotional wellbeing and mental health support. Speak to a CAMHS healthcare professional at www.nhft.nhs.uk/camhslive any time between 9am and 7pm, Monday to Friday.
iDiscover
iDiscover is a community of children, young people and those who support them across Northamptonshire. Activities include workshops, courses, webinars and more, covering a range of themes including managing stress and anxiety, healthy lifestyles and self-care, staying well at school or work, and creative activities to support wellbeing. All activities and resources are completely free of charge.
Northamptonshire Drop-ins
If you need support with your mental health or find yourself in crisis, Northamptonshire Drop-ins give you a place for support. Drop-in sessions are held at locations around the county with no appointment needed. They have professional mental health workers who can offer you a safe space to talk and be listened to. There will also be wellbeing activities, telephone support available, one-to-one support and peer support.
Go to Northamptonshire Drop-ins
Young Minds
Information for young people and their parents, all about looking after young people's mental health. There is a free helpline for parents and carers on 0808 802 5544 (Open 9.30am to 4pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 9.30am to 6pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
Action for Happiness
A website aimed at helping people improve their wellbeing and achieve happier living.
Smartphone apps
Search the Apple AppStore or Google Play Store for more information:
- Fear Tools - strategies for managing anxiety
- CALM - guided medications, mindfulness, gentle stretching and music to help you relax, focus and sleep
- Finch - helps with structuring your day and improving motivation and self care
- Smiling Mind - guided meditations for mindfulness, anxiety, sleep and mental fitness
- Molehill mountain - anxiety tracking and sharing, designed for people with autism
- What to expect from the CAMHS Crisis teamBack up
Our mental health practitioners will meet with young people face to face for a mental health assessment.
This will include talking with you about different things in your life, such as relationships, school, your interests, things you are good at, things you find difficult, your physical health and your family history.
We will make sure you feel comfortable when speaking with us and this could mean having a parent or carer with you for support.
We will work together with you to create and agree a plan for your care and to keep you safe. We can look at this plan again and make changes to it each time we meet with you.
If you agree, we can also make referrals to other services which could help you.