Welcome to the Children’s Emergency Department: Adolescent mental wellbeing 

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We understand that coming to hospital can be stressful and worrying.  

The CED can feel overwhelming, especially in busy or unfamiliar situations. That’s why we have a dedicated adolescent waiting area and aim to make you as comfortable as possible. We’ll do our best to meet your individual needs. 

We recommend that a parent or carer stays with you at all times, for both support and safety. 

What happens next?

You will first be triaged by a nurse, who will ask about what’s been happening and how you’re feeling. These questions help us understand your needs and ensure your safety. 

After triage, you’ll wait to see one of our clinicians, either a CED doctor or a nurse practitioner. Because you’re a young adult, the clinician might ask to speak with you alone. This helps support your independence and ensures your voice is heard.

Will I need to stay in hospital?

You may also be referred to our Paediatric Mental Health Liaison Team for further assessment. In some cases, we might suggest other services, such as our Hospital Youth Worker or the community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). 

Please be aware that you may need to stay in hospital overnight before you can be seen by the Mental Health Team, especially if you arrive in the evening or at night. If you have any physical health needs, these will be treated by our team before any mental health assessment takes place. 

While we know more than one family member or carer may want to stay with you, due to limited space and to help prevent the spread of infection, we ask that only one person remains with you in the department. 

We also have a policy to share information with our Early Help team to explore any extra support available in the community. If you have any questions about this, please speak to your nurse.

Where can I get more help?

Useful Apps (available from your phone’s app store):

• MindShift. Uses CBT tools to help with anxiety.
• SAM. Helps you understand and manage anxiety.
• Virtual Hope Box. Tools for emotional wellbeing.
• Stay Alive. A suicide prevention app with resources and support.

Support by Phone and Online: