Lewisham Child and Adolescent Services

Lewisham CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) is a comprehensive specialist service for children and young people in Lewisham.

All referrals should be in writng and confirm that famillies have consented to the referral and give a brief summary of concerns and any useful information about the extent of the difficulties and previous attempts to solve the.  We try and see people within 12 weeks but people can contact us to find out where they are on the waiting list.

Referrals to the service can be made through: GP’s, Teachers, Health Visitors Connexions, Youth Service, Social Workers and other local professionals.

We have staff in many local GP surgeries and some schools.

We have staff in some Sure Starts.

If you don’t have Links with one of the above, or if there are serious and complex difficulties, people can refer to our specialist teams.

For Children "Looked After" by the Local Authority, there is a team called the Symbol Therapy Team.

For severe school refusal or phobia contact the teams at Lewisham Park.

For children of parents who misuse drugs or alcohol Lewisham Park.

For children with severe developmental delay and neurological difficulties, or children attending Lewisham Hospital, contact the Neurodevelopment and Hospital Team.

For young people who are offending, or at significant risk of offending, there is a specialist team at Mercia Grove.

For young people who misuse drugs or alcohol contact Mercia Grove

If you are a parent or carer who is concerned about a child/young person, you can start by talking to your child’s teacher, GP, or another professional who knows your child or young person. Many difficulties are temporary and may be connected with changes e.g. new school or events such as family bereavements or bullying.

Most children are quite resilient and can get over difficulties by talking them through with a parent, carer or just a good listener.

If difficulties persist, or the risks of e.g. self-harm, school exclusion, substance misuse are high, then it may be that more intensive help is needed.

Many professionals working with children have the kind of skills necessary to help and if they feel more specialist help is required, they can refer to the CAMHS services.

For urgent calls about young people with severe mental health problems contact Lewisham Park and ask for the duty worker.

Feedback about this site please feel free to e-mail camhs@slam.nhs.uk or simply fill this feedback on line and select send.