Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are under severe stress and even after contact through your GP many of these referrals are declined and other options recommended / even when referrals are accepted the waiting times may be long - please have patience if you are awaiting an appointment.

The assessment for Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorders such as ADHD or Dyspraxia can be particularly complex.

We have listed some useful contact addresses and website links below

This is a good general starting point https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids

Autism is a common condition. Perhaps becoming more common and certainly diagnosed more frequently. Dr. Leo Kanner and Dr. Hans Asperger both described the same condition in the 1940s - however Dr. Asperger was more positive about the outlook for autistic children and as a result the milder range of the autistic spectrum has been named Asperger Syndrome and the more severe end as Kanner's Syndrome.

The classic diagnostic features of autism are often labelled as Wing's Triad and involve three principal features

• problems with social communication;
• problems with social interaction and
• repetitive behaviours. 

Early childhood warning signs may include poor eye contact and delays in speech development. However it is a very complex and wide ranging spectrum of mild to severe forms of autism and the diagnosis can be very challenging.

Useful contact addresses with more information on the condition can be obtained from the organisations listed below.

Scottish Autism https://www.scottishautism.org 

The National Autistic Society https://www.autism.org.uk/

Breathing Space -  Helpline number: 0800 83 85 87 or https://breathingspace.scot/

A free, confidential, phone service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety is available at Breathing Space where you can phone and/or web chat

Opening hours: Weekdays: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am  Weekend: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am 

Lifelink 0141 552 4434 or https://www.lifelink.org.uk

Lifelink provides counselling and support services to those experiencing mental health difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression

SAMH -Scottish Association for Mental Health -https://www.samh.org.uk/ is another excellent resource particularly for children and young adults suffering from anxiety, concerns about eating disorders, self harm or suicidal thoughts 

Other helpful Organisations for a variety of mental health support include 

• Children First 0141 418 5670
• Perinatal Mental Health 0141 211 6500 – 9.30-12.30 Mon Tues Thurs Fri
• Carr Gomm – Mental Health Social Support 0141 445 7490
• Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 https://sdafmh.org.uk
• NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000 If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact NSPCC professional counsellors for help, advice and support.
• Childline 0800 1111: Offers free, confidential advice and support for any child 18 years or under, whatever the worry
• MIND: Mental Health Support with specific advice on ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’ https://mind.org.uk
• Young Minds: Supporting children and young people and their parents/carers with their mental health and wellbeing. Specific advice on managing self-isolation and anxiety about coronavirus.https://youngminds.org.uk
• ICON: Babies cry: You can cope https://iconcope.org