CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)

NHS services that assess and treat children and young people who are experiencing emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties, providing specialist support to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

CAMHS is important because it provides specialist mental health assessment and treatment for children and young people, helping to identify and address emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties at an early stage. Early support can reduce the risk of problems escalating into crisis and can improve long‑term mental health and wellbeing.

CAMHS also plays a crucial role in safeguarding and supporting vulnerable children, including those affected by trauma, abuse, self‑harm or severe mental illness, by offering evidence‑based interventions delivered by trained mental health professionals.

By working with families, schools, social care and other services, CAMHS helps ensure that children and young people receive coordinated, appropriate support, enabling them to function, learn and develop as well as possible in everyday life.

Children and Young People’s Service – Newcastle and Gateshead, Benton House