Media coverage for South London Listens campaign

Local news websites South London Press and Southwark News have written about a South London Listens campaign to improve the experience of young people and their families on the waitlist for mental health services in south London.

We know from our community listening exercises that an important priority for south Londoners was children and young people’s mental health. Many parents wanted mental health support for them and their children but did not know where to access it. We brought together mental health trusts with local partners, including schools and teachers, to listen to community asks. Specifically, communities asked NHS trusts and local authorities to improve the experience for young people on the waiting list for mental health services.

The online portal myHealthe was then enhanced to serve as a ‘virtual waiting room’ in response to our campaign to improve communication and engagement with families and young people who are on the waiting list. To make the changes, we brought together young people, teachers and parents to work with the CAMHS Digital Lab, part of the King’s Maudsley Partnership, to add new features to the myHealthe portal to serve as a ‘virtual waiting room’. The pilot was launched in spring 2023 with tailored local resources now available to families in Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham and Croydon. 

Teachers and young mental health ambassadors from Southwark who were involved in the campaign commented on the importance of promoting good mental health for young people.

Miata Noah, a teacher at Harris Girls’ Academy in Southwark, said: “I am so lucky to have taken part in the South London Listens campaign…where we heard from parents about their experiences during the pandemic. Of course, mental health was very prevalent. Now, seeing the advent of the CAMHS virtual waiting room will not only provide assurance for parents and their young people whilst they wait for treatment but also provide a useful tool for practitioners. For me this shows how powerful people are when they come together, they can make change.” 

Mandy, a mental health ambassador in Year 11 from a Southwark school, commented: “I’m a mental health ambassador and supporting my peers at school is a great opportunity. The CAMHS virtual waiting room is an important tool for young people. CAMHS offers a way for people to get help for their mental health and offers support…This is important as it reduces the stigma about mental health, so young people are more open to talk about it.”

Nenneh, a mental health ambassador in Year 11 from a Southwark school, said: “I believe that through the advent of the CAMHS virtual waiting room for young people shows that our message ‘mental health matters’ is being heard. Now that the CAMHS virtual waiting room is active it will lift a burden on many young people. As one of the mental health ambassadors in my school, it has been inspiring to work alongside top organisations and give feedback on how we helped our fellow peers at school. Updating young people…means they do not feel forgotten or neglected. It also allows each person to know that they are not just a number reported at the end of each year but instead they are individually treasured - this change means young people will know that their mental health and wellbeing is valuable.”

Martin Wilkinson, Chief Operating Officer, Partnership Southwark, NHS South East London, said: “This is a fantastic development born from active listening and co-creating this practical tool with local community leaders, parents and young people to help whilst young people are waiting for a specialist CAMHS assessment or treatment.”

You can read the news coverage in South London Press here and the article in Southwark News here.