You may be familiar with the term CAMHS, which stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. We are moving away from using 'CAMHS' and these services are now known as Children and Young People's Mental Health Services - or CYPMHS.
Our aim is to provide a service that works in partnership with families/carers, is person and family centred and is focused on the needs of the child/young person.
Who is the service for?
We offer assessments and evidence-based treatment pathways based on goals identified by the young person and their family, adopting a multi-agency approach for children and young people.
The work is time limited, focusing on treatments which build skills, knowledge and understanding to empower young people and their families to self-manage mental health issues in the future.
* For young people with difficulties that may be linked to autism, ADHD, conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder we only offer assessment and interventions where there are co-morbid moderate to severe mental health difficulties as described above.
We do not offer treatment or other assessments for autism, ADHD, conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder where there are no co-morbid mental health difficulties and will signpost for assessment to local pathways or support to other agencies. However, young people with autism, ADHD, conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder will be offered treatment for additional moderate/severe mental health problems.
How to access the service
All referrals should come through the Request for Help form.
Please included as much information on the young person’s current presentation as possible as limited information may delay processing the referral. Referrals are accepted from anyone as long as informed consent and agreement has been gained from the family and the young person.
What will happen at your first appointment?
Usually, your first appointment will be over the phone with your named practitioner. You will receive a letter in the post before your appointment, which will tell you the time and date of your appointment, and the name of the practitioner you will be seeing, as well as a contract of expectation for you to read and sign. You can give this contract to your practitioner at your first face-to-face appointment.
If you aren't able to make the date / time of the phone appointment you have been given, please call the service and request an alternative date. You may be discharged from the service if you do not answer the call from the practitioner, so it's important you let us know if you can't make it.
During the phone call, the practitioner will confirm basic contact information, clarify any information gathered at your first ‘Choice’ appointment and ask both you and your parent / carer for an update on any mental health difficulties, symptoms and other areas of concern. They may also ask you to think about what your main mental health goal for the work is, such as reducing anxiety or improving your mood.
Usually, your practitioner will then offer you a further four appointments, which will be face-to-face within our main office, however alternative arrangements may be offered to meet your needs, based on the information shared.
The following four sessions will be used to gain a good understanding of your needs and if indicated, choose the best evidenced-based intervention to meet your needs and sometimes the needs of your family too.
A review will take place towards the end of this period, to share understanding, talk about next steps, and agree if further support is needed.
Where are we based?
We are based at the Birch Centre in Birkenhead, on the St Catherine Health Centre site in Birkenhead (CH42 0LQ).
There is a large visitors car park behind the building which allows visitors to park there for up to three hours. There is also parking for Blue Badge holders in front of the building, and in the smaller car park opposite. Please display a Blue Badge to avoid receiving a ticket.
We also sometimes hold appointments in our Pensby Clinic for specific therapies.
Contact us
My Mind Wirral Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service
0-18 Team
The Birch Centre
Derby Road
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH42 0LQ
Tel: 0300 303 3157 - monitored 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Email: cwp.
To access the 24/7 mental health crisis line, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.