Fiducia TogetherCAMHS
NHS mental health services for children and young people. Long waits, and other routes exist.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, now often called CYPMHS, are the NHS services supporting children's mental health, from school-based support to specialist teams.
Where it applies
Under-18s, with transition to adult services usually at 18 — a well-recognised weak point.
How it works
Services are tiered from universal support through targeted help to specialist and inpatient care. Referral routes vary: GP, school, social care, or self-referral in some areas.
Waits for assessment are long in most areas, and referrals are frequently declined as not meeting threshold — which is a statement about capacity as much as about need.
What you can ask for
Ask what the referral criteria are locally BEFORE referring, so the referral is written to meet them.
Ask what is available while waiting: mental health support teams in schools, voluntary sector counselling, and digital services exist in most areas.
If a referral is declined, ask for the reason in writing and what would meet the threshold. That letter is useful evidence for an EHC needs assessment too.
Where to get help
Your GP or school. YoungMinds' parent helpline is free. In crisis, NHS 111 option 2 for mental health, or 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.