A Guide Through The Transition From CAMHS To Adult Mental Health Services !!!

Throughout all stages of life we have to adapt to many different aspects of change which can be very unsettling as many of these changes are unexpected. One key change that caused me great upset and distress was the "dreaded transition from CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). Often people ask me why it was so hard to think about on the lead up to it and in all honesty for me I would put a lot of it down to attachment issues, fear of abandonment and mainly unfamiliar situations and surroundings. When I think back to the scared, innocent 15 year old girl walking through the doors to attend her first CAMHS appointment I remember thinking I never want to come back here for another appointment. Little did I know that my life was going to completly change and that this place I was terrified to even sit in the waiting room off would turn into my home for the majority of 2 years. How could somewhere that was so hard to step foot in become so difficult to leave and say goodbye to ?

Whilst writing this post I have so many thoughts going around my head as to how best I provide advice to others going through this without making it long and repetitive. So if I could summarise this transition in a few words I would say it was "a whirlwind of emotions."

Often we hear of people putting mental health services in NI down particularly in relation to adult services. This I feel greatly adds to the upset and anxiety that we as young people face when reaching this stage in our life.

I am so grateful that I had such a good support network with CAMHS and they really tried their best to make this transition go as smoothly as possible.

After turning 18 it felt like not only did my age change but my support network and my hard work had just disappeared. It was scary and something that no matter what I could never be fully prepared for.

I was thrown into the world of adulthood where independence and personal responsibility was expected. However after being seriously ill for the last 3-4 years of my teenage life I had little to no opportunities too develop independence as I was being watched constantly both at home and when in hospital I didn't get to go on day trips with my friends and rarely was able to have sleepovers like most girls.

However one thing I did gain was extreme strength that got me through each day even when I didn't want to. I had many experiences that most people would never have and although I didn't realise it at the time each and every hurdle added to my strength and truly shaped me into the person I am today.

During my first few months with adult services I felt lost, scared and also uncertain of what was going to come next. Contact was reduced and there was a lack of continuity of care in comparison to the time I had spent with CAMHS. I knew that the transition was always going to be hard however with COVID it was even harder than I ever thought.

The thing is it wasn't bad and I wasn't left but just with the gaps between appointments being increased and then it all changing completely from weekly face-to-face appointments to short phone calls every few weeks with someone who I had never met and had no bond with made it so much harder and if I was to say that it quickly got easier I really would be lying.

After just under 2 months things reached breaking point and I ended up on the psych ward where I spent the next 2 weeks. It was hard and so different to what I was used to but I spent a bit of time working on myself and getting to a slightly better place. During that admission I met one of the best friends I could ask for and although it felt like others tried to keep us apart that only made our friendship stronger in the end as magnets can't be kept from each other.

I then got discharged and changed to a different key-worker who has been great and although at times we haven't seen eye to eye I now know and appreciate that she does really have my best interest at heart and has helped me through my all of my admissions since. Appointments increased, I felt more settled in terms of having gone through the transition however I did and do still miss my CAMHS worker as I was with her for 3 years and she was always there for me through thick and thin which I never will be able to thank her enough for.

Although I have talked a lot about the difficulties from leaving CAMHS there have also been many positives along the way.

Firstly it has allowed for me to get more specialist help, support and therapy to treat my personality disorder to help me live a more "normal" life. Secondly due to gaining more independence and a greater sense of personal responsibility I feel that I get a greater sense of achievement when overcoming challenges no matter how big or small they are. Finally it has given me many new experiences and opportunities to help to change things for the better.

When I think back to my last few months with CAMHS I never thought things would get better and truly believed that there was only one way out. Whereas now I am celebrating being 6 months out of hospital and I genuinely see hope for my future.

So please next time people tell you about how bad mental health services are remember that in order for things to change you have to want them to and engage and commit to making the change happen.

I am going to end this post by giving you my top tips to help you or your loved ones get through the transition.

1. Rome wasn't built in a day so neither will your relationship or trust in your new MH team - it takes time !!!

2. Use this transition as a fresh start, give yourself time to rediscover yourself and take control of your own mental health and treatment !!!

3. Go to adult services with an open mind - just because someone has spoken to you about a bad experience they had doesn't me it is going to be the same for everyone.

4. Give your new mental health worker a chance however if after a while it doesn't feel like the right fit speak up and possibly ask to change to someone else. (don't worry no one will be offended, everyone has a different approach and it won't work for everyone)

5. Ensure that your transition plan is discussed with you and let people know if you feel that there is something that needs changed.

6. Remember your story isn't over yet, just because one chapter is closing doesn't mean it is the end - take control and make things change for the better during the next chapter of your life !!!

7. Be sure to let your new team know who you want to be informed and involved in your care i.e your parents - sometimes people think that because they are now an adult they don't need family to provide help and support with their care and treatment. However, trust me you do! Yes it is ok to take more responsibility and ownership but no matter what age you are you still need help and support from your loved ones. As I said in my last post just because no one else can do your inner work for you doesn't mean you can, should or need to do it alone !!!

Stay safe and remember things can and will get easier, you just have to get through the hard days to see the brighter days ahead !!!

Lots of love,

Hope, Discovery and me xx