I have been a part of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for four years. In my previous area, I was on a two year waiting list just to be seen. When I moved, I was in crisis and was met with coldness and inefficiency at the hospital, the second time I went into crisis a year or so later I was faced with the same treatment but worse, I was being chastised by a member of staff while clearly being very distressed in the state I was, they then deemed me as needing sectioning. Not one of the 3 staff that was in the room with me at that awful time was kind and understanding. They were rude and judgmental causing an already terrible situation to be even scarier for a young teenager. These are not isolated incidents; many young people share similar stories of neglect within this system. 

The most dangerous aspect is the lack of regular reviews for those on medication, leaving many in vulnerable positions. Recently after having severe anaphylaxis what we believe was caused by the medication I was prescribed, we urgently needed an appointment to review and get a plan for something else, this has still not happened weeks later leaving myself struggling and alone with no help. 

According to NHS data, over 25% of young people referred to mental health services are denied treatment - a figure that has risen over recent years (source: NHS). This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for change.

We cannot afford to let our youth suffer due to systemic failures. We demand that our government conducts an immediate review into CAMHS' practices and implements radical changes where necessary. This system is clearly failing and desperately needs to be nationally reviewed.

Our children's mental health matters too much for us not to act now. Sign this petition today if you believe in better mental health care for our young people.