When preparing for a CAMHS appointment, it is important to realise, whoever you see wants to help you. Their job is to find out as much as they can about you so they can put support in place for you.
If you had a broken leg you would go to the Doctor; if you aren’t doing so well mentally, it's ok for you to need a doctor too. No one is judging you.
Follow these 8 steps before heading off to you appointment...
Step 1
Write down all the questions you have or would like to ask: do they tell your parents stuff? Do they contact school? What will happen if you tell them you self-harm?
Step 2
Write down as much as you can about what has been happening to you recently
Step 3
Write down anything you feel is important about things that happened to you when you were little – they might impact your wellbeing now.
Step 4
Write a list of people that are important to you – it will help CAMHS know about your key relationships
Step 5
Think about how you prefer to communicate and let CAMHS know: talking might be hard, writing might be good? Or drawing?
Step 6
Download the assessment they will probably give you (if it’s not this one it will be one like it):
Sdq English Uk S11 17Single
Step 7
Spend a few days thinking through how you might answer as we all change depending on situations; so give a good overview of what you are feeling the majority of the time.
Step 8
Take anything to the session you would like – a teddy, a fidget cube or your favourite book to read while you are waiting. The appointment is about you, so you need to feel comfortable.