Helping you stay well while you wait
We are committed to seeing children and young people as soon as possible and strive to keep our waiting times as low as possible, however waiting times can vary depending on the current demand for services and staffing levels.
You can view our current waiting times to find out how long you are likely to wait for your first appointment (known as a Choice Assessment) and your first Partnership Appointment if we decide at your Choice Assessment that Children and Young People's Mental Health Services can help you.
We have pulled together some useful self-help resources, guidance and advice to help children, young people and their families navigate support options for mental health and wellbeing while waiting to be seen by their local mental health service.
We have a range of resources aimed at children and young people, and also some resources for parents, carers and families, which you can view below.
If you need urgent help
If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse and you feel like you can't cope with how you're feeling, this can be called a ‘mental health crisis’. In this situation, it is important to get help quickly.
You can call our all-age crisis line on 0800 145 6485. The line is staffed by dedicated children and young people's mental health practitioners 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, who will be able to support you to get the help you need. Parents and carers can also call the crisis line if they are worried about a young person who is experiencing a mental health crisis.
You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life-threatening emergency requiring mental or physical health assistance.