Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that navigating mental health services can be overwhelming, especially for young people. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of common questions to help you find the information you need from some local young people’s mental health services; Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS) Sunderland Community Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (SCCYPMHS) and Washington Mind Young People’s Project.
Explore the questions below to get the answers you’re looking for:
SCCYPMHS, CYPS and Washington Mind Young People’s Project treat all young people individually and understand that everyone handles things differently. One person may experience something and not need support, but someone else may experience the same thing and need to access support, and that is normal.
We believe that everyone deserves support when they need it. Everybody is equal, and if you feel like you need support, then get in touch. Everyone has the right to access services regardless of their situation.
SCCYPMHS
We are a team of people from different professional backgrounds who are able to support children and young people aged 0-18 years with mental health difficulties. Staff in our team have different roles and are able to offer different levels of support depending on what you need, roles include: primary mental health specialists, specialist teachers in mental health, counsellors, early years mental health specialists, cognitive behavioural therapists and family therapists. If you would like more information on what these roles offer then please visit our website.
CYPS
We provide a service to all children and young people aged 0-18 years living in South Tyneside and Sunderland with mental health difficulties and disorders, including people who may have learning difficulties/ disabilities and those living in a range of difficult and challenging circumstances. The team is made up of nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and a range of therapists. Services we provide to support young people include: assessment, diagnosis and intervention on a range of mental health issues, home-based treatment, Eating Disorder Service and 24 hour access to support over the phone. For more information on these service please visit our website.
Washington Mind Young People’s Project
We are a service for young people aged between 11 and 25 years of age who live in the City of Sunderland, this includes Washington, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring. We are a small team of counsellors offering counselling and creative expressive group work, we provide this in various locations across the City including schools and PopRecs. For more information on our services please visit our website.
Waiting times are always changing depending on how many people need support at that time and also service capacity (how much the service can deal with at that time). There is an average waiting time which services try to maintain:
- SCCYPMHS – 12 weeks
- CYPS – all referrals will be looked at by a member of the clinical team and accepted as either urgent, priority or standard. An urgent referral will be seen within 24 hrs, a priority will be seen within 3-4 weeks and a standard referral we try to see within 18 weeks.
- Washington Mind YPP – 12 weeks
Sunderland Community Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (SCCYPMHS)
Referrals into our service can be made by a wide range of people including doctors, teachers, school nurses, health visitors, social workers or any other worker you may have contact with and they can do this through a referral form or a letter.
If you have any difficulties getting a referral made for you, you can call us on: 0191 524 4000
Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS)
If you want to access our services you can do this for yourself or a family member, doctor, teacher or any other worker you may have contact with can do this for you by calling us on: 0191 566 5500 Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.
Washington Mind Young People’s Project
Anybody can make a referral to Washington Mind Young People’s Project. You can refer yourself or get a parent to do this on your behalf. Referrals are also accepted from any professional for example, your doctor, teacher, social worker or anyone else who you are working with.
You can call: 0191 417 8043 or email: ypp@washingtonmind.org.uk, and we are available Monday – Thursday 9am-4pm and Friday 9am-12pm.
When you make contact we ask some questions about what is going on for you at the minute so make sure you are able to do this in a quiet place when you do contact us
Sunderland Community Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (SCCYPMHS)
Everything you tell us is confidential, and some things are useful for parents/carers to know so that they can support you in the best way.
However, we would discuss this with you and seek your permission before we shared any information with them. We have to share information we have if we think that either you or someone else is at risk of being harmed. We would let you know when this would need to happen and we would support you in dealing with this.
Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS)
At your first appointment, we will discuss consent with you and what that means, we will then sign a consent form with you which will be highlighted on your records and this can be reviewed at any time if you change your mind. We have to share information we have if we think that either you or someone else is at risk of being harmed. We would let you know when this would need to happen and we would support you in dealing with this.
Washington Mind Young People’s Project
The things that you tell us are kept in confidence unless you or someone else is at risk of being harmed. This includes somebody being a risk to themselves, but also being at risk from another person. If this were the case we would work with you, and where appropriate, your family and other professionals to make sure that you are kept safe from harm. Sometimes, even if you are not at risk we may ask your consent to share your information with others if this could make things easier for you. We will always inform you of whatever information we will share and we will continue to support you until things improve.
Sunderland Community Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (SCCYPMHS)
It is often useful for other workers you have contact with to have some information about the support you are receiving, so they can also offer their support to you. However, we will discuss this with you and seek your agreement to do this using a consent form and this can be reviewed at any time if you change your mind. Following your first appointment, we will send a summary of what we have discussed to your doctor and the person who referred you to our service. When your involvement with the service has ended, we will send a letter to your school nurse to let them know you have accessed support. If you have any questions about this then you can ask us during your appointments.
CYPS
It is often useful for other workers you have contact with to have some information about the support you are receiving, so they can also offer their support to you. However, we will discuss this with you and seek your agreement to do this using a consent form and this can be reviewed at any time if you change your mind. Following your first appointment, we will send a summary of what we have discussed to your doctor and the person who referred you into our service. If you have any questions about this then you can ask us during your appointments.
Washington Mind Young People’s Project
If you are at risk, as outlined above, we would need to share information with other people you may be working with. Sometimes, if we feel that sharing other information would make your situation easier, we would seek your consent to do this. You will always be informed of what information will be shared and who it is shared with.
Our services work together to make sure you and your family receive the right support, and you will always be involved in the decisions that affect you.
Sometimes, services may feel that you or your family could benefit from extra help. In these cases, other professionals—such as a social worker—might become involved. This usually happens when there are concerns that you or someone else could be at risk of significant harm.
If this is the case, we are required to share information in line with the Sunderland Safeguarding Children’s Board and the South Tyneside Safeguarding Children’s Board. Once shared, we may not always have control over the decisions that are made, but we will continue to work in partnership with others to support you and your family. Your views will be heard, and your welfare will always be the top priority in any decisions made.
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