While You Wait: a free guide for parents waiting for CAMHS

If this is where you are

Waiting is hard, and it is not your fault. Children's mental health services are under huge pressure in many parts of the UK. You may have been told your child does not meet the threshold, or you may have no idea how long the wait will be. Either way, you still have a child to look after today.

What is in the guide

• Understanding the wait: why services are stretched, what a referral can and cannot do and what you can ask about
• A one-page picture of what you are seeing, to hand to the GP, school or any service
• What to say and what to ask at the GP and at school, in plain words
• Six different lenses for looking at a hard time, so you are not hunting for one right answer
• Ideas for home: lowering the load, connection without demands and what tends not to help
• A one-minute page for the hard moments
• What to do if you are worried about safety, with helplines
• Looking after yourself, chasing a referral and preparing for the first appointment
• Four fillable sheets: a one-page picture, a GP script, a bad day plan and a log of who you have spoken to

Read our free article on this topic →

What could help next

If your child finds everyday demands hard, see our Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) support page.

Free

• What to Do During a Meltdown or Shutdown: our free quick-reference guide, with sheets so the plan exists before you need it.
• Free guides by problem: every free parent guide, sorted by what is going on.

To buy, if it would be useful

• Ages 5 to 12 wellbeing bundle: all five mental wellbeing packs, £17.99.
• My Worry Toolkit: printable pack for ages 5 to 12, £4.99.

Frequently asked questions

What can I do while my child is waiting for CAMHS?

You can keep a short record of what you are seeing, ask your GP and your child's school what support is available now and lower the load at home where you can. Tell the GP or service if things get worse, because that can matter and you have not used up your chance by asking again. While You Wait walks through each of these.

Is the While You Wait guide really free?

Yes. You enter your email address and the PDF is ready straight away, with a copy sent by email. That also adds you to our email list, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

What if CAMHS turned down the referral?

A referral can be turned down, or you may be told your child does not meet the threshold. That is about service capacity and criteria, not a verdict on how much your child is struggling. You can ask again if things change. The guide includes what to ask about next.

Do I need a diagnosis for this guide to help?

No. Many neurodivergent children are never formally assessed or wait years. If you recognise your child as autistic, ADHD or both, your observations count, and the guide works with or without a label.

Where can I get help now if I am worried about my child's safety?

If your child is in immediate danger call 999. For urgent help use NHS 111 or speak to your GP. Where to get help lists helplines including Childline on 0800 1111 and Samaritans on 116 123. You do not need the guide or an email address to use any of these.