Bridging the Gap: Exploring Support Options for Young People Awaiting Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Access

Why is the research needed?

Mental health problems among children and young people are increasing, while demand for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) continues to exceed capacity. In England, around one in five young people were estimated to have a probable mental health disorder in 2023, compared with one in eight in 2017. Long waiting times for CAMHS can worsen mental health difficulties, increase distress for young people and families, and leave many without meaningful support while they wait.

Although some services now provide interim or ‘waiting list’ support, there is limited evidence about what young people themselves find helpful. It is important to understand this to support young people's mental health.

What are we doing?

We will explore the experiences and preferences of young people aged 13–17 who are currently, or have recently been, waiting for CAMHS support, to better understand what kinds of support are most useful during this period. Discussions explored experiences of waiting, gaps in support, and preferences for interim support options.

We are currently analysing the data to identify key themes and priorities. Findings will inform the design of a larger stated preference survey to support the future development and evaluation of interventions for young people awaiting CAMHS access.

How are we working with communities, services and organisations?

Young people’s views are central to the project. The study recruited young people aged 13–17 who are currently, or have recently been, on a CAMHS waiting list. Recruitment took place through multiple channels, including partner charities, local schools with mental health support teams, social media advertising, and youth patient and public involvement (PPI) networks not directly linked to NHS services. 

What will the impact and benefits of this research be?

This study will provide early insights into young people’s experiences of waiting for CAMHS support and the types of interim support they value. The findings will help shape future research and intervention development in this area.

What do we have planned for knowledge mobilisation and implementation?

Findings from this exploratory study will be used to inform the design of a future stated preference survey focused on support for young people awaiting CAMHS access. We will produce lay summaries of our findings for participants, and a blogpost for the NIHR ARC East of England website. 

Related papers, outputs and resources

We will produce a summary report for participants, accompanied by a structured grid outlining key attributes of waiting list interventions and support services for evaluation in a subsequent stated preference survey. The study findings will be shared widely through publication in an open‑access paper.

Who is involved?

• Joint Principal Investigator: Dr Joanna Reid, University of Cambridge 
• Joint Principal Investigator: Dr Rory Cameron, University of East Anglia (UEA)
• Mohammad Karimipour, University of Cambridge
• Anne-Marie Burn, University of Cambridge 
• Dr Adam Wagner, University of East Anglia (UEA)
• Helen Risebro, University of East Anglia (UEA)

Get in contact

Email Rory Cameron at rory.cameron@uea.ac.uk.