A checklist for parents with children
with mental health problems
Working in
partnership with psychiatrists and members of the Child and
Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
This leaflet is aimed at parents or carers of
a child with mental health problems and suggests questions they
might ask at appointments to get information about their child’s
condition.
Professionals may also find this checklist a
helpful guide.
It suggests ways of improving communication
and partnerships when a child has first been referred, identified
or diagnosed with a problem.
Children can have a variety of different
emotional and behavioural problems. Some of these will be
short-lived while others will be disorders that will need
treatment. Going to see a psychiatrist or other mental health
professional about a child’s difficulties can be a very daunting
experience for many parents.
The CAMHS team is there to work in partnership
with parents and young people, to help sort out the difficulties
that are brought to them. Professionals understand that parents can
feel that nobody appreciates what it is like to have a child with
problems and may worry that they will be blamed. They are also
aware that it is not easy to ask for help. Sometimes taking a
relative or friend along can be helpful in providing support or
explaining the problem clearly.
For
parents/carers
As a parent, you will be asked a lot of
questions by the professional who sees you, in order to gather
information (carry out an assessment) to help determine the nature
of the problem (make a diagnosis), and decide what should happen
next (treatment).
Some of the questions you may want to ask are
listed below. However, the checklist is not exhaustive and you
would have your own questions specific to your child or
situation. Please also refer to other sources of information
below which you may find helpful.
About the problem
Not every child will have a formal diagnosis.
Children may have had short-lived behavioural problems which
do not have an underlying diagnosis and can be resolved with help
and support.
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|
What sort of problem
does my child have? |
 |
Is it mainly
behavioural?
|
|
Is it mainly emotional? |
|
Is it a mixture of both?
|
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Is it a mental
illness?
|
|
Is it a problem of learning and/or
development? |
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Is it a problem with relationships? |
Assessment
Getting more information to help sort out a
problem is important. You should be told how this information will
be gathered.
If a diagnosis has been
made
At this stage, parents will have many questions.
Make sure that you are given time to obtain the information you
need.
How might I be
involved in my child’s care and treatment?
Parents are very important in helping to sort
out their child’s difficulties, whatever they are.
|
How can I manage my
child’s behaviour better?
|
|
What sort of help and support can I
expect? |
|
Will I be expected to join a
parents’ group?
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|
Are there other parents I
can share my experiences with?
|
The role of
the school
Children spend a great deal of time at school.
It is important for CAMHS to have a good communication with
schools, and to keep parents informed.
How might
social services help?
|
What services are provided by
social services for children with mental health
difficulties?
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Can I receive any help or support in taking
care of my child? |
|
In what circumstances should I
contact social services?
|
|
How can social services
help if:
- My child is aggressive or hurting others?
- My child is getting into trouble with the
law?
- My child is abusing substances?
|
Involvement of other
professionals
|
Are there are professionals who
may be able to help?
|
Getting help
|
If I need help, how can I contact you? |
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Who else can I contact?
|
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Whom do I contact in an
emergency?
|
Medication
Some children may need medication, along with
other treatments, although many do not.
Hospital
admission
Very few children will need to go into hospital.
However, for a very small number an admission to hospital might be
necessary.
Confidentiality
If, I am not satisfied with my
child's treatment and care who can I speak to:
Sources of
information
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced
a factsheet on ‘Who’s who in Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Services (CAMHS?)’ which can be downloaded from www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info
Contact a Familyis a UK charity for
families with disabled children. We offer information on specific
conditions and rare disorders. Free helpline: 0808 808 3555; email:
helpline@cafamily.org.uk;
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/
The Princess Royal Trust for
Carers
Provides information, support and advice for carers. Tel: 0844
800 4361; email: support@carers.org; http://www.carers.org/
Young Minds Parents Helpline for
any adult concerned about the emotions and behaviour of a child or
young person. They offer information and professional advice, via
telephone and email - contact 0800 018 2138 or parents@youngminds.org.uk;
www.youngminds.org.uk/parents
The Royal College of
Psychiatrists
Produces a series of 36 factsheets for
parents, teachers and young people entitled ‘Mental Health and
Growing Up’. These cover emotional, behavioural and mental health
problems that can affect children. These can be downloaded free
from www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info. They
are also available from The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17
Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG; tel: 020 7235 2351 ext. 6259;
email: leaflets@rcpsych.ac.uk.
With grateful thanks to Dr Margaret Bamforth
and members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Child and Family
Public Education Editorial Board. We are also grateful to Contact a
Family and their members who commented on this checklist.
This leaflet was produced as part of the
Partners in Care campaign, a joint initiative between the Royal
College of Psychiatrists and The Princess Royal Trust for
Carers.
One of the aims of the Partners in Care campaign was to show
that if all
those involved in the care of people with mental health problems or
learning disabilities can work together, a trusting partnership can
be developed between carers, patients and professionals which will
be of benefit to all.
© September 2011. Review date: September 2013.
Royal College of Psychiatrists. This leaflet may be
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For a catalogue of public education materials or copies of our
leaflets contact:
Leaflets Department
The Royal College of Psychiatrists
17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG. Tel: 020 7235 2351
ext. 6259
Charity registration number (England and Wales) 228636 and in
Scotland SC038369
Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our FAQ for advice on getting help.
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