Mental Health - Child & Young Persons (Under 18)
CAMHS offers assessment and treatment to children and young people aged up the age of 18 (and their families/carers) who are suffering significant mental difficulties. We provide these services across Dorset (including Bournemouth and Poole), employing an experienced team of doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists and social workers.
CAMHS Gateway
CAMHS Gateway is a new part of the service to help manage assessments and provide some brief lower level intervention for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing problems with their mental health. The service acts as the ‘front door’ of CAMHS and has been introduced to help reduce the wait time for assessments and treatments that young people can experience when accessing the service.
To access CAMHS for more information and the self-referral form click here. You can also access CAMHS Gateway.
Mental Health - Over 18's
Steps2Wellbeing We accept referrals from anyone over the age of 18 who is registered at a Dorset or Southampton City GP.
Connection is a round-the-clock helpline for people of all ages, anywhere in Dorset, who are experiencing mental health problems and need support. Click here for their details.
The Retreat – a safe place to discuss your problems and access peer support
If you are struggling to cope with life and feel yourself approaching a crisis point, The Retreat, Hahnemann Road, Bournemouth is open for face-to-face and virtual drop-ins from 4.30-11.30pm every day. .
The Retreat is an open access service for adults aged 18 and over. The Retreat is not able to work with people who:
- require medical attention beyond basic first aid/wound care
- are intoxicated by alcohol or substances
- display threatening or physically aggressive behaviour
- are under the age of 18.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse can affect anyone and takes many forms. 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Dorset County - Paragon (24 hours) - Freephone 0800 032 5204 (Paragon work with men, women & children)
Bournemouth Outreach 01202 547 755, Poole Outreach 01202 710 777
Refuges
24 hour helplines:
Dorset 0800 032 5204
Bournemouth 01202 547 755
Poole 01202 710 777 (can take men, those experiencing Honour Based Violence and forced marriage)