We are thrilled to announce a new partnership between Arthur Ellis and Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to increase options for youth mental health support across Central and Northwest London.

Closing Gaps in CAMHS Care

With the growing prevalence of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues nationally, demand has outpaced the capacity of NHS services like CAMHS in many regions.

Unfortunately, this resulted in exceedingly long wait times for assessments and treatment through CAMHS, frequently exceeding 12 months. Additionally, nearly 25% of CAMHS referrals have been rejected for not meeting clinical thresholds.

This reality illuminated major gaps in readily accessible care that our partnership now aims to help close.

Routing More Youth to Specialised Support

By collaborating, CAMHS will redirect young people originally referred to their overloaded clinical network to Arthur Ellis’s alternative assistance programs instead.

Our early intervention offerings are uniquely designed to support emerging and minor mental health struggles that may not have met CAMHS intensive criteria previously. However, left unaddressed, these conditions often worsen considerably over year-plus delays.

Now, our team can promptly connect those in need to customised therapeutic treatment plans within two weeks, rather than placing them on endless waiting lists or leaving issues to escalate unsupported.

A Pilot to Build Upon

Currently focused on improving mental healthcare accessibility for Central Northwest London youth, both organisations envision this partnership as a pilot initiative with strong potential for regional scalability.

As mental health needs rise across age groups, we hope this model makes inroads to a future wherein anyone battling emotional, psychological and cognitive challenges has a place to turn – before small struggles balloon into crises.

Collaborating to nurture young citizens’ wellbeing today sets them on paths to healthier and happier futures. We’re honoured to realise that mission alongside CAMHS.

We look forward to keeping our community updated as this vital partnership and its impacts unfold! Please reach out with any questions.