What are my freedoms and rights?
Having been to a Mental Health Tribunal, some advice I would give on how to prepare is to make sure you genuinely feel like you have a solid case behind you, and that you and those around you genuinely feel that it’s the right decision.
What about my things, my friends and my family?
I never thought I would gain friends from being in a hospital. I still talk to them a few years on, and because we lived with each other at our worst, it’s become a very strong relationship of sharing problems and understanding each other.
What care and support will I get?
Inpatient care may seem daunting, but it’s an important step in getting back the more manageable life you deserve. It will be tough, but you’ll have lots of support from both specialists and peers to help you along the way. You can do this!
What happens when you leave hospital?
‘Discharged’ means leaving hospital when doctors think you are well enough. This can bring up mixed feelings for you and your family, and it’s normal to worry about coping at home. But the hospital will put support in place for you.
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Discharge Care Programme Approach (CPA)
A CPA meeting will plan how your community will care for you. They’ll assign you a keyworker (from CAMHS, AMHS or another mental health service) as your main contact. You’ll also get a main contact for any other services involved, like a social worker, or Early intervention Support worker. Your family should know who to reach out to in a crisis.
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Appointments with your mental health team
You should get dates for your first appointments with the mental health team you are discharged to. This is so you know what support you’ll have continuing your recovery after discharge.
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Planning your support outside of hospital
Shortly before discharge, you can have a joint meeting with your family and your keyworker. You’ll discuss what helped at hospital and how to support you at home.
There are helplines and other services for extra support alongside community services.
Complaints and how to make them
If NHS staff have treated you unfairly, whether that's in CAMHS, in an inpatient ward or in your GP surgery, you can make a complaint. To make a complaint about treatment in the NHS, follow these steps:
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1. Write your complaint
You can complain by post, email, or phone. You can also use a BSL interpreter if needed. Make sure to include your name, contact info, and details about the service you’re complaining about.
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2. Send your complaint
Send your complaint to the NHS or to your local CAMHS.
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3. Wait for a response
The NHS should reply within three working days and keep you updated during their investigation. You’ll receive a written response once the investigation is complete.
If you're not happy with the results of your complaint, you can contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. You can also write to your MP who can complain on your behalf. If none of this works, you could speak to a solicitor about your options for taking legal action.
Real stories and tips from young people on inpatient care
Get help now
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Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
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Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
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Citizens Advice
Provides information and advice on issues such as discrimination because of race and/or religion, benefits, work, universal credit, debt, housing and immigration.
Webchat service available.
- Opening times:
- 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday

With thanks to Ellern Mede and the Coborn Centre for Adolescent Mental Health.