Stockport CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health service), formerly Healthy Young Minds.
We offer specialist services to children and young people who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties. We also provide support to families.
Some of the problems we can help with include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Self-harm
- Managing emotions
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder)
- More complex psychological difficulties
We also provide consultation and advice to other agencies.
Our team includes child and adolescent psychiatrists, mental health practitioners, clinical psychologists and child psychotherapists.
To make sure people can access our service, we now have a single point of access via the Stockport Multi Agency Safeguarding and Support Hub (MASSH) early help team.
The MASSH is Stockport’s first point of contact for:
- Safeguarding referrals to protect children and young people from harm, abuse or neglect
- Care and support services which help individuals or families meet their long-term needs, prevent or delay needs becoming more serious, lead independent lives and reduce dependences on public service
It is no longer possible to refer directly to CAMHS, other than urgent referrals through accident and emergency (A&E) and paediatric wards.
Referrals made by a professional
Professionals making a referral on behalf of a young person should use this online form: Contacting the MASSH - Stockport Council
You must gain consent from the young person before doing so and check that they agree for their information to be shared with MASSH early help services, as required and appropriate. Please reassure them that the process for sharing information is safe and secure.
- Make time to listen - create a calm, safe space where they can communicate their feelings. They may feel overwhelmed by a changing situation that isn’t being clearly explained in a way they can understand.
- Take time to talk - some young people find it easier to talk while doing something together such as playing in the park, going for a walk, painting or other activities.
- Try to understand the problems and provide reassurance that you have heard them and you are there to help. Their problems could be something you haven’t picked up on – it’s very common, so don’t feel guilty about this.
Further advice and helpful tips can be found on NHS’s Every Mind Matters.
- If a child has taken an overdose or needs urgent medical help call 999 or take them to the nearest A&E. In Stockport, it will be Stepping Hill hospital nhs.uk/location
- If you need urgent mental health support or advice, such as a child is having suicidal thoughts or is self-harming, call Pennine Care's 24-hour mental health helpline 0800 014 9995 or contact your GP for advice
- If you have noticed physical injuries such as deep cuts or burns contact NHS 111 online or your GP for advice.
Beacon - counselling for young people
Relate – counselling for young people struggling after parental separation or divorce: 0161 442 2443
Parents in Partnership (PIPS) - a forum for the parents of young people aged 0-25 with disabilities or additional needs
Parents and carers together Stockport (PACTS) - a forum for the parents of young people aged 0-25 with disabilities or additional needs. Details of how to contact PACTS can be found here on the Stockport Borough Council website.
We've created a Stockport CAMHS walkthrough video to help you find your way to our service. It also has some information about what to expect when you arrive.
We've also made created some slides with pictures and information about what to expect when you visit Stockport CAMHS for the first time.