Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Jersey supported nearly 2,000 children and young people in 2024, according to the service’s annual report. The report reveals that CAMHS faced a “significant and challenging level” of demand, working with 1,949 young people over the past year.
Despite the high demand, Jersey’s CAMHS is among the fastest in providing initial assessments, with services completed within four weeks.
Connétable Richard Vibert, Minister for Children and Families, acknowledged the pressure on CAMHS, stating that the service remains “extremely busy and in-demand.”
The report also indicates a decline in the number of referrals from 1,351 in 2023 to 1,145 in 2024, suggesting a slight easing in demand. However, there has been an “unprecedented” surge in requests for neurodevelopmental assessments, with 1,449 requests over the past two years.
To address the strain on resources, the government allocated an additional £400,000 to CAMHS, enabling the commissioning of private contractors to assist with assessments.
Minister Vibert emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “I hope, as an island, we continue to work collectively to create an environment where every child and young person feels empowered to seek help, share their experiences, and know they are not alone. Together, we will continue to work hard to build a healthier, more resilient future for all.”
In response to the growing demand, CAMHS plans to extend its duty service from 08:00 to 20:00 BST seven days a week, following a successful soft launch earlier this year.
Last year, a dedicated space for young people needing inpatient mental health support was opened in the Orchard Ward at St Saviour Hospital.
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