Harrow Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
For children and young people up to the age of 18 who are registered with a Harrow GP.
What does the service provide?
The service provides specialist Tier 3 community mental health services for children and young people with the following complex mental health difficulties:
- Complex emotional and behavioural problems
- Anxiety and depression and very rarely serious mental illness, such as psychosis and eating disorders
- Family relationship issues and parenting
- Obsessive compulsive disorders
- Psychological problems associated with physical illness
- Tic disorders
- Phobias
- Hyperactivity or poor concentration (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Autism spectrum disorder)
- Children with mental health needs related to moderate / severe learning difficulties
Services are tailored to meet individual needs and include:
- Assessment and treatment packages for service users and their families delivered by psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists. This involves direct support and interventions for families/ carers, including siblings
- Treatments may include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), family therapy, play therapy, individual and group psychotherapy
- Medication is used when appropriate and carefully monitored by doctors
Mental health emergencies should be directed to local A&E departments where access to out of hours mental health support will be available.
How do I access the service?
Referrals can be made by your GP, paediatrician or other health professionals, such as a school nurse.
Referrals must meet Specialist Tier 3 thresholds and service criteria. Any referrals that do not meet thresholds will be signposted to other local services, including voluntary sector organisations, or will be redirected back to the original referrer.
All referrals that are accepted will receive an initial face-to-face consultation usually within 1 to 2 weeks. Depending on the outcome of the initial consultation more detailed assessments will be undertaken before agreed therapeutic interventions or treatment. Your GP will be informed before and after an appointment, usually by letter. Other professionals who are involved may also be contacted after it has been discussed with you.
The service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Earlier and later appointments may be available and should be agreed with individual clinicians.
The service is provided by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL).
For further information about the service in Harrow, visit CNWL NHS Child Adolescent Mental Health