Croydon CAMHS: Free NHS Mental Health Service for Children & Young People in Croydon

## What is Croydon CAMHS? Croydon CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) provides specialist NHS mental health support for children and young people up to age 18 living in Croydon. The service is part of the broader Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health (EWMH) services and operates within a tiered system to ensure young people receive the right level of support for their needs. It's run by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. CAMHS offers comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment and treatment for moderate to severe mental health or neurodevelopmental disorders causing significant functional impairment. ## Who Can Use Croydon CAMHS? The service is for children and young people under 18 living in Croydon with moderate to severe mental health needs. For less severe difficulties like exam stress, mild low mood, or friendship problems, the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) offers early intervention in schools and community settings. Specialist CAMHS is for more complex presentations including severe depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, psychosis, and neurodevelopmental conditions. ## How Do I Access Croydon CAMHS? Referrals are managed through Croydon's Single Point of Contact (SPOC), which acts as the 'front door' to children's services. Professionals such as GPs, teachers, and social workers can refer through the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Parents can ask their child's GP to make a referral. For crisis situations, attend Croydon University Hospital A&E or call CAMHS Crisis Care on 020 3228 5980 (evenings and weekends). ## What Should I Expect? After referral, a CAMHS clinician will contact you to arrange an initial assessment. This may take place at Christopher Wren House (113 High Street, Croydon), in a community setting, or in some cases at home. Assessment involves talking with the young person and their family to understand the difficulties and develop a care plan. Treatment may include individual therapy, family therapy, medication (from a psychiatrist), or a combination. There's also specialist support for children with intellectual disabilities or neurodevelopmental disorders.