CAMHS Emergency Telehealth Service

CAMHS Emergency Telehealth Service

Do you have a young person in the Perth metropolitan area who:

• Needs urgent mental health advice
• Is in crisis and needs urgent mental health support
• Or needs to go to an Emergency Department to get help?

The CAMHS Emergency Telehealth Service (CAMHS ETS) provides phone and online videocall support for children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, as well as support and advice to families and carers.

It aims to provide expert help to children and young people quickly, when they need it most.

This includes:

• Mental health advice
• Crisis management
• Assessment
• Referral to the most appropriate service depending on need.

Who can access the service?

The service is available to:

• children and young people
• families and carers
• General Practitioners
• school psychologists
• teachers
• community nurses
• health professionals

in the metropolitan area.

Rural, regional and remote services

In rural, regional and remote areas of Western Australia, the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service (MH ETS) provides WA country doctors and nurses with access to specialist clinicians via video conferencing technology 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service is used when caring for people presenting with acute mental health, drug or alcohol conditions to one of 83 Emergency Departments across country WA. The WACHS MH ETS accepts Emergency Department referrals for all age groups (children, young people, adults, older adults).

Out of hours mental health support is also available for the community via Rurallink, a specialist after hours mental health telephone service for people living in rural, regional and remote communities. Rurallink is available 4.30pm - 8.30am, Monday to Friday and 24 hours a day on weekends and public holidays by calling 1800 552 002.

How does the CAMHS ETS service work?

This service is available by calling 1800 048 636, between 8am and 2.30am, seven days a week.

You will speak to an experienced CAMHS specialist who may:

• Provide advice, support and guidance
• Offer a tele-mental health assessment
• Recommend going to an Emergency Department for a face to face mental health assessment.

For a tele-mental health assessment, you will need a computer or a phone with a microphone or camera, a reliable internet connection and access to an up to date web browser.

What will happen when the assessment is complete?

Every tele-mental health assessment will include an initial mental health assessment, risk assessment and a discharge plan.

Young people, families and carers may be referred to a community mental health service or advised that an admission to an inpatient mental health unit may be required.

Every young person seen will be offered follow up from the CAMHS ETS within 24 hours.