When to ask for further support

On this page

• Emergency and crisis

• Urgent care

• Ongoing concerns

• Some concerns 

What to do in an emergency or crisis

If someone is at immediate risk of harm due to their mental health.

Urgent mental health care

• Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital for 15 year olds and under.
• Emergency Department at the Northern General Hospital for 16 year olds and over.
• Or call 999.
• Follow the safeguarding procedures of your organisaion.

Contact

• Senior Mental Health Lead or DSL in school.
• Parents or carers.
• Log concerns.

Urgent care

If the young person’s difficulties are significantly impacting their day-to-day life, including when the young person:

• Talks about hurting themselves or that they can’t see the point in living.
• Is spending more and more time alone and not doing things they enjoy.
• Has been struggling for some time and they do not feel hopeful about things changing.
• Seems to have a very difficult or worrying relationship with a parent.
• Is being very risky in their behaviour.
• Has ever attempted suicide.
• They are struggling to talk about things, but you can see they are isolated or being risky in their behaviour.
• Is being abused by someone.

Contact

• Senior Mental Health Lead and or the Designated Safeguarding Lead in school.
• Parents and carers.
• Log concerns.
• GP.

Depending on the primary concern

• Consider a referral to CAMHS.
• If the young person is already know to CAMHS you can update them of any further concerns.
• Consider a referral to Social Care or Early Help.

Ongoing mental health concerns

CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) offers specialist comprehensive assessments and therapeutic interventions for children and young people up to the age of 18, along with support for their families.

This service is designed for those experiencing severe or moderate mental health difficulties that significantly affect their daily lives.

CAMHS is appropriate in cases where:

• The primary concern for the young person is their mental health, which is having a significant impact on their daily life over an extended period (over 3 months).
• The mental health concerns are more serious and enduring than a “normal reaction” to an adverse life event.
• There is a high risk or severity, such as serious self-harm, attempted suicide, or very low weight.

Contact

• Senior Mental Health Lead or DSL in school.
• Parents and Carers.
• Log concerns.

Depending on the primary concern

• Contact GP.
• Consider a referral to CAMHS.
• If the young person is already know to CAMHS you can update them of any further concerns.
• Consider a referral to Social Care or Early Help.

Some concerns around a young person’s mental health and wellbeing

• Having problems but they still do things they enjoy.
• Beginning to see solutions and is trying certain things to help them feel better.
• Coping with everyday life.

Contact

• Senior Mental Health Lead in school or pastoral support.
• Log concerns.
• Keep listening – you may be the person they feel safe to talk to.
• Other services which may be helpful can be found in the Sheffield Mental Health Guide.
• Support them to continue to do the activities they enjoy.