A NEW service launched this month aims to give young people better access to mental health services in Oxfordshire.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) programme will allow young people, families and carers to make direct initial contact with NHS mental experts for the first time.

Previously young people would have to go through mental health specialists at school or through charities before being referred to the NHS trust.

The new model will also see the trust working more closely with charity partners, including Response, the lead partner, TRAX, Synolos, Ark-T, Banbury Young Homelessness Project, RAW, SOFEA, Oxfordshire Youth and Autism Family Support.

Head of service for Oxfordshire CAMHS Andrea Shand, said: “This is a really big development for CAMHS and the way we provide mental health services.

“We know the sooner someone gets help for any medical issue, be that a physical or mental health condition, then the chances of a speedier, better recovery are greater.

“Here at Oxford Health, we have done a lot of work to engage with young people ahead of our new model’s launch, to discover and understand the things they want from our services.

“For many, the ability to be able to speak to someone over the phone, or send us an email and reach out for help and support, was seen as a really positive development in helping to encourage people in need to get help.”

Last year the 15 to 19-year-olds continued to make up the largest proportion of patients referred to Oxford Health mental health services.

Between 2011/12 and 2016-17, the number of patients referred overall increased by 22 per cent while the number of patient referrals aged 15-19 increased by 80 per cent.

Suicide rates and rates of intention self-harm among under 25s in Oxfordshire are statistically above the national average.

CEO at mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind, Dan Knowles, called the move a ‘great step’ but said more still needs to be done to provide better support to youngsters with mental health issues.

He said: “Oxfordshire Mind supports the new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) model which brings together the third sector and the NHS to provide better joined up services.

“This is a great step to improving services to children and young people, and their carers, but much more needs to be done.

However, Mr Knowles added: “Children and Young Peoples mental health services need more funding, and to be better integrated – in particular by schools, health services, council, and the third sector all working more closely together.”

“We hope that the new CAMHS model will be a step towards reducing these inequalities and will help improve the health and wellbeing of Oxfordshire’s youth.”

The new CAMHS model will see the creation of a new Single Point of Access (SPA) team, that will for the first time be able to speak directly to the young people in need of mental health services – removing perceived barriers to allow easier access to care and support.

The new SPA will be accessible Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm via 01865 902515 or via email at OxonCAMHSSPA@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk, or for more information and advice on mental health, visit

www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/oxon.