Partnership wins funding to provide mental health support for young people
Release Date 25 October 2011
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The Charlie Waller Institute of Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment, the University of Reading's pioneering mental health training and research centre, and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust have been awarded funding by the Government to improve mental health support for young people.
The University of Reading and Oxford Health NHS FT have joined to be a collaborative for CAMHS IAPT (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Improving Access to Psychological Therapy). It will cover Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset and Gloucestershire.
The partnership is one of three areas in phase one of the children's IAPT; the others are in London and Manchester.
The Children and Young People's IAPT project is a new strand within the overall IAPT Programme. Its initial focus will be on anxiety and depressive disorders and conduct disorder for children under 18.
Oxford Health NHS FT already provides adult IAPT services across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and has a strong track record of involving young people in the design and development of services. It is this involvement that helped to secure the programme as young people will be involved in the CAMHS IAPT service from interviewing staff to feeding back on their experiences.
Yvonne Taylor, Divisional Director for Children and Families Services, Oxford Health NHS FT, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Reading. This pilot builds on the successful working relationships that have been established over the last three years through TalkingSpace and Healthy Minds, our adult IAPT services."
The Charlie Waller Institute, within the University's School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, will provide training for new therapists as part of the IAPT. This supports the frontline NHS in implementing National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for children and young people suffering from depression, anxiety and conduct disorders.
The Charlie Waller Institute will be supported by the Winnicott Research Unit, also within the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, which has international expertise in treating anxiety and other disorders in children.
Professor Roz Shafran, co-Director at Charlie Waller Institute, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for such a vital training programme that will increase the availability of therapies that work for children and young people.
"We have successfully trained more than 200 therapists so far as part of our IAPT for adults and look forward to working with Oxford NHS Foundation Trust to improve mental health services for young people."
Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said: "We're breaking new ground with this investment in children's mental health. We're working with young people and staff to start to change the way mental health is delivered by the NHS.
"Half of those with mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age of 14, and three quarters before their mid-20s. This pioneering work will focus on early and effective treatment. We know psychological therapies work. Our aim is to transform existing mental health services for children so our children get the best treatment possible, from services that are more responsive to their needs."
ENDS
For University of Reading enquiries please contact Rona Cheeseman on 0118 378 7388 or email r.cheeseman@reading.ac.uk
For Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust enquiries please contact carrie-ann.wade-williams@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk or call 01865 782192