Almost 2,000 children and youths availed themselves of the services last year, according to the annual report of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Jersey. It professes that the service has been under "most challenging demands," performing on 1,949 children during the year 2024. Among the records saying Jersey was the fastest at having services, initial assessments are still done within four weeks.
The Minister for Children and Families, Connétable Richard Vibert, said that's what CAMHS "continues to be as incredibly busy and high demand." The report showed a decline happened through referrals from 1,351 in 2023 until 1,145. There are therefore "unprecedented demands" in connection with 1,449 requests over the last two years to refer patients for neurodevelopmental assessments.
Mr. Vibert stated, "I hope as an island we will all continue to work together to create an environment in which every child and young person feels they have the power to ask for help and share experiences to realize that they are not alone. Together, we will keep working really hard towards a healthier, resilient future for all of us." Also in place is the shift to extend the duty service from 08:00 to 20:00 BST throughout the entire week beginning in April after a soft launch earlier this year.
Last year, on the orchard ward at St. Saviour Hospital, an area set aside for hospitalized youngsters in need of mental health support opened its doors.