Child & Adolescent Mental Health - (CAMHS)

We also have other written information that may be useful to you, your family and friends.

• There's a booklet written especially for young people.
• Young children also have their own booklet.
• We have lots of pamphlets about mental health and other services. Just ask at the clinics or talk to your worker if you want a copy of any of these publications for yourself or another person.

What is Eastern Health CAMHS?

CAMHS stands for 'Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service'.

CAMHS offers mental health care to children, adolescents (up to the age of 18) and their families or carers. CAMHS is funded by the State Government of Victoria, and it's a free service.

Eastern Health is the larger organization we're part of.

People can use our service if they live in the Central and Outer Eastern regions of Melbourne, including the Cities of Whitehorse and Maroondah and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Eastern Health CAMHS is a team of specialists.

The workers who see young people at our service are often called 'clinicians'. All of them specialise in child and adolescent mental health, but they can have different professional backgrounds.

Our group of clinicians includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatric nurses, paediatricians and speech therapists. You may be involved with one or more of these specialists, depending on your child's needs.

Clinicians work in a confidential manner. That means they generally won't pass on information given to them by a client without the client's permission. (There are some special reasons for passing on information, though - see below).

What some parents have said about Eastern Health CAMHS:

'I understand what they're saying…they guide me through the issues and problems I have with the children…they don't use jargon. I get support and help for me as well.'

'Very responsive service…looking after the whole family.'

People come to Eastern Health CAMHS to get help for their children with the following sorts of problems:

Behavioural Problems

• Not wanting to go to school
  
• Acting aggressively
• Trouble controlling temper
• Fidgeting and restlessness

Emotional Problems

• Feelings sad or depressed a lot of the time
• Feeling really anxious, nervous or stressed out
• Feeling angry
• Feeling isolated or numb

Relationship Problems

• Shyness
• Bullying
• Family fights or conflict with parents, brothers or sisters
• Problems with friends

Developmental Problems

• Difficulty paying attention
• Social and play difficulties

Health and Wellbeing Problems

• Eating and sleeping difficulties
• Deliberately harming yourself

Other Psychological Problems

• Feeling or acting suicidal
• Early psychosis:
  - hearing voices or seeing things that no one else thinks are real (called 'hallucinations')
  - having ideas or beliefs that seem out of touch with reality (called 'delusions' - for example being really 'paranoid')
• Having moods that swing from really high to really low
• Things you have to do sometimes over and over again or bad things will happen ('obsessions' and 'compulsions')

How clients move through the service

The people who come to CAMHS for help are called our 'clients'. While the child or adolescent is the focus of our service, in many ways all family members are our clients. And, no matter what the child's age, parents and other caregivers are always seen as important partners and are given any information they need in order to care for their child.

• When you first contact us, an intake worker will are questions to find out what issues your child and family are facing. The intake worker needs this information to decide what part of our service can help you.
   
• Most people get referred for an appointment to one of our outpatient clinics - Wundeela, Chandler or Box Hill.
   
• The first visit to the clinic is generally for an assessment. This usually involves a worker talking to the child and other family members. The assessment helps us decide what to do next. You and your family can expect some feedback about the assessment. (See FAQs for more information about your first appointment).
   
  
• Your worker writes up a report of the assessment, including an agreed plan of how everyone will work together (called the Individual Service Plan or ISP).
   
• Treatment usually involves regular appointment to talk about issues. Some appointments involve several family members (and may be called 'family therapy'). Sometimes the child may be seen alone (which may be called 'individual child psychotherapy'). Treatment may involved family members agreeing to do certain things between appointments. The worker may also ask permission to discuss your child's situation with other people who can help - like the wellbeing coordinator at your school.
   
• There's usually a review of the Individual Service Plan after about six months if your child is still in treatment.
   
• Discharge is when everyone agrees that this particular treatment has finished. The clinician may suggest an ongoing programs for your child. You'll also get information about how to contact us again if you need to.
   
• After discharge, we'll send you a survey asking for your thoughts on Eastern Health CAMHS. Your feedback helps us learn how to respond better to young peoples and families needs.

Other specialist Adolescent Services that back up the Outpatient Clinics include:

The Adolescent Day Program is a part-time group therapy program for 8 young people.

The Adolescent Inpatient Unit is a 12 bed hospital ward where young people can stay if they need more intensive care.

The Mobile Adolescent Team can visit someone at home or meet up with them in the community if a young person seems to be at very great risk.

Specialist services are able to help young people with some specific issues, such as, anxiety and depression, early psychosis and trauma.

After Hours Crisis Services are also available.

While you and your child are using CAMHS, you have the responsibility to:

• Give CAMHS clinicians enough correct information so that they can best help you and your child.
   
• Let us know if you are going to be late or can't come to your appointment, or if you no longer need the service.
   
  
• Treat staff and service property with care and with respect.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Eastern Health CAMHS

The Royal Children's Hospital Mental Health Service kindly gave permission to use and adapt some of their answers to FAQs.

How can I prepare my child before coming to the service?

Your child will get the most our of appointments if you discuss honestly why you are coming to the service. You could ask your child if there are things they might like some help with. You can tell them that they'll be able to talk to someone about how they're feeling.

What if my child refuses to come to the first appointment?

How you respond will depend on a number of things, like your child's age or understanding. We suggest you call and discuss the situation with your worker. You could also try suggesting to your child that they come along 'just this once to see what it's like'.

Who should come to the service with me?

When any person in the family is upset, it affects other people, so everyone's view is very important. Sometimes issues affecting your child may also involve other family members, for example, divorce, separation, death or illness.

We generally ask the whole family (everybody who usually lives in the household) to attend the first appointment. Your worker will talk with you about who should attend any other appointments.

What will happen at the first appointment?

It's helpful to arrive 10 minutes early, as there may be registration forms to complete: ask the receptionist.

The worker will then meet with you and other family members - sometimes separately, sometimes together. This helps us get a better understanding of everyone's concerns. The results of this assessment process will be discussed with you. You will then be involved in planning how the service can best help you and your family.

Feel free to let your worker know if there are things that you wish to discuss without your child being present.

What will I need to bring with me?

It's often helpful to have reports from school or any professionals you've previously seen.

It may also be a good idea to bring snacks and drinks for your children.

What will my role be in treatment?

We believe parents can help their children more than anyone else, so your contribution is very important. Coming to appointments and family interviews will assist your child considerably. Answering questions about yourself and other family members also helps the treatment process.

If your child is seen individually, you may wonder what he or she is saying. All our clinicians are very aware of both your child's rights regarding privacy as well as your right to have the information you need in your role as parent or caregiver. Clinicians will work with each individual family to encourage the sharing of relevant information while respecting everyone's needs to feel comfortable about what is shared.

If you have concerns or questions about what's happening at any time, please feel free to ask your worker to explain.

How often will I need to come?

This can be decided with your clinician. We try as far as possible to make appointments that are convenient for you. Because the service operates from 9.00am to 5.00pm, it may be necessary to take time off work in order to attend. We can provide you with a certificate of attendance if this will help in taking time off work.

How long will the process take?

There's no fixed time period for working with you. The type of concerns you have and the length of time these concerns have been a problem may influence then number of appointments you will need.

Can I have an interpreter?

The service can provide an interpreter service for many languages. If you think it would be helpful to have an interpreter during your appointment, speak to your worker before you come for your first appointment.

What happens to the information I give you?

When you attend a Victorian public hospital or clinic such as Eastern Health CAMHS, workers need to collect information about your child, their condition and the outcomes of treatment.

You're not legally required to provide information to mental health workers, but it does help in the treatment of your child. Accurate information also helps the government develop better mental health services.

The clinicians keep a written records of your initial information and details of ongoing care in a hospital file. This information is also stored on a computerised database called 'RAPID'.

The information that's recorded includes details such as the age, condition and diagnosis of your child and some family details. This information may be used by health professionals within Eastern Health CAMHS to treat your child. If your child goes to another mental health service, information about previous treatments can be obtained by the new workers from the RAPID database.

You have the right to know what type of information is recorded about your child's treatment. However, in order to actually see written records, you have to fill out forms required by the Freedom of Information legislation. You can do this at any stage, but it takes time to process your request and you must pay a fee.

Additional information on our privacy policy and practice is in Eastern Health's 'Protecting Your Privacy' pamphlet. If you have concerns about the privacy of your information you should contact the Director or Program Manager of Eastern Health CAMHS.

What should I do in a crisis?

If you need extra advice or help between appointments, ring the clinic and ask to speak to the clinician you normally see. Of course, it best to prevent a crisis, and your clinician can discuss prevention plans with you.

If you need to speak with someone after hours, call the Mental Health Triage Service at the Outer East Area Mental Health Service 9871 3888 or Central East Area Mental Health Service 9843 5823.

What if I'm not happy about something regarding the service?

We want to hear from you if you're unhappy with any aspect of our service. If you have a complaint, a good place to start is by talking directly with the worker involved or the team leader of the clinic you're attending. (Team leaders and their contact numbers are listed below).

Eastern Health also has a Complaints Pamphlet that lists other options for making a complaint.

What if I have other questions?

Feel free to keep asking questions until you're satisfied that you understand what's happening.

It can be helpful to write things down so that you don't forget then when you see your worker. Use the space at the end of this booklet to write down anything you'd like to ask at any of your appointments.
 

 

 
Handy Hints From Parents Who Have Used The Service Before

Ask any questions you have - even if you've asked them before! There's help available, but sometimes things need to come to a head before they get better.

You have every right to give your opinion: you are your child's voice. They don't have a magic wand…things work best when you work together with the service. Don't lose heart if it's not working at first. Don't be afraid to disagree. Grab opportunities to meet with other parents who use the service…just to sit and talk with other people who even remotely understand you is good.

Eastern Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

Director
Professor Peter Birleson
Eastern Health CAMHS
Maroondah Hospital
Grey Street
Ringwood East 3135
Phone: 9871 3422

Program Manager
Leanne Beagley
Eastern Health CAMHS
Level 3, 43 Carrington Road
Box Hill 3128
Phone: 9843 1200

Wundeela Team
21 Ware Crescent
Ringwood East 3135
Phone 9870 9788
Team Leader: Maria Rigopoulos

Chandler House Team
16-18 Albert Street
Upper Ferntree Gully 3156
Phone: 9839 6700
Team Leader: Sue Quartermain

Box Hill Team
Level 3, 43 Carrington Road
Box Hill 3128
Phone: 9843 1200
Team Leader: Leanne Beagley

Mobile Adolescent Team (MAT)
Level 3, 43 Carrington Road
Box Hill 3128
Phone 9843 1200
Team Leader: Andrea O'Byrne

Adolescent Day Program
Maroondah Hospital
Grey Street
Ringwood East 3135
Phone 9871 3845
Team Leader: Amanda Smith

Adolescent Inpatient Unit
Maroondah Hospital
Grey Street
Ringwood East 3135
Phone 9871 3422
Team Leader: Kate Cogan

 

 
Some supports, Resources and Contacts

A good place to start is by contacting your local council, who list youth and other support services in your area. Some of these are detailed below.

Parentzone (Ringwood)
Phone 9876 8945
Information and support to parents of children of all ages.

Anglicare (Croydon)
Phone 9725 1622
Counselling and family support

WIN Support Services
Phone 1800 727 280
A free after-hours emergency bridging service, providing short-term personal care and in-home support, available to people with disabilities, including children and their parents or caregivers.

Aspergers Syndrome Support Network
54 Railway Rd, Blackburn, Vic 3130
Email: assnvic@mssociety.com.au
Phone (03) 9845 2766
Web: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~asperger/
Information and Support

Association for Children with a Disability (Armadale)
Phone 9500 1232 and 1800 654 013
Information and support, including the useful booklet 'Through the Maze'.

Attention Deficit disorder of Vic Inc (Boronia)
Phone 9722 1414 or 9801 7185
Support and information

Autism Vic Inc (Glen Iris)
Phone 9885 0533
Information and support
After hours telephone support for mental health crisis

Tourette Syndrome Assoc of Vic (Toorak)
Phone 9828 7218
Information and support

Carerlinks Eastern, Carer Respite Centre (Kew)
Phone 9854 5122 or 1800 059 059
Information and flexible respite options

ARAFEMI (Camberwell)
Phone 9899 3733
Information and support including 'Bridging the Gaps' education sessions for parents and family carers of young people age 16-25 and FACE (Families of Adolescents and Children (under 18 years) Experiencing mental illness), a time limited group that runs when there are enough people to go ahead.

Centrelink
Phone 13 27 17
Disability Officers can help parents and caregivers apply for the Carer Payment and Carer Allowance.

Psychiatric Triage
Phone 1300 721 927

 

Websites

www.sane.org
This is the site for SANE, a national organisation providing information and many publications on mental illness.

www.headroom.net.au/
The Headroom site has information on mental health issues for young people, children, adolescents, and parents.

www.youngminds.org.uk/
Young Minds is a UK based site, committed to promoting children's mental health and offering information for young people and parents.

hnb.dhs.vic.gov.au/ds/disabilitysite.nsf/pages/pub_diff
The 'Making a Difference' program provides support services to Victorian families caring for a family member with a disability.

www.aacap.org
This is an American based site, developed by the AACAP (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry), which is an American professional medical association. The site includes information on child mental health issues and disorders, see the sub-site 'Facts for Families'.

Protecting Your Privacy

Our staff are committed to respecting your confidentiality and preserving your privacy. We will keep your personal information secure and protected from unauthorised access or improper use, and we will only disclose information about you if it is authorised by you or mandated by law.

All our services comply with the relevant information and privacy legislation.

Privacy Policy

Eastern Health is accredited by the independent Australian Council on Healthcare Standards in recognition of the achievement of acknowledged standards, and the commitment to continuous improvement in the provision of healthcare services.

Useful Mental Health Links