Children and Adolescent Mental Health survey

The Orkney community is being asked for their thoughts on how services supporting young people’s mental health can be refined to best meet local needs, following the allocation of close to £800k by the Scottish Government for Orkney Health and Care to redesign and develop the county’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Orkney’s allocation is the first phase of funding to Health Boards across Scotland from the Government’s £120 million Recovery and Renewal Fund announced in February this year, to support the implementation of Scotland’s Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan published in October 2020.

An online survey has been developed by Orkney Health and Care, with two parts - one for people who've had experience with CAHMS, in Orkney or elsewhere, and a further set of questions for anyone who would like to give feedback on how the service can be developed.

It also encourages people to consider how future mental health services for young people should look, and asks them to rank, in order of importance to them, a ‘wish list’ of standards and developments they’d like to see, such as being able to access confidential help during school, receiving support after the age of 18, access to support within two weeks, provision of online treatment programmes and specialist services for suicidal urges and self-harm.

Lynda Bradford, Head of Health and Community Care for Orkney Health and Care: “This is a process we want to involve our local community in as we look to develop and redesign the service in the most appropriate way following confirmation of Orkney’s allocation. We welcome the opinions of all young people and their families as we look to make best use of the funding for Orkney.”

Graeme Ramage is a CAMHS Practitioner: “Orkney has its own unique set of challenges and strengths and it’s only right that local people are given the opportunity to reflect on those and are asked for their input as we look to redesign and develop these crucial and highly valued services.”

Ann Clark, YPeople Service Manager in Orkney said: “Supporting young people and their mental health and wellbeing is at the heart of our YPeople service in Orkney. After such a tough year, it’s more important than ever that we hear from young people and their families so that services continue to develop and reflect their needs. I would encourage all the people we’ve supported to get in touch and take part and have their voices heard.”

The survey can be accessed online at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CAMHS0621/

Paper copies are available by emailing Shaun Hourston Wells from the Orkney Health and Care team.

The survey closes Monday 19 July at 17:00.