A mixed methods study of referrals to CAMHS for reasons of suicidality
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is There Anybody Out There? An exploration of the pathways of care and experience of children after they are referred to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) for reasons of suicidality.
IRAS ID
256546
Contact name
Lynne Gilmour
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
Suicide is a leading cause of death for children and young people, and a priority public health issue. Although the number of children (under 18yrs) who die by suicide is low, the numbers of children who are thinking about, and attempting suicide is said to be ever increasing. Children who first present to hospital or G.P services because they have attempted or have been thinking about suicide are generally then referred onto CAMHS for assessment and treatment. Little is known about what happens to these children thereafter, or even how many children this is. Although the CAMHS services in Scotland are moving towards recording reasons for referral, at present there is no system in place to identify how many children are being referred for reasons of suicidality. A recent audit of CAMHS in Scotland reported that one in five referrals to CAMHS is rejected. A previous review of why children die in the UK reported that many of the children who died by suicide had no contact with CAMHS services, or they had been referred but failed to attend appointments and were never followed up. \nThis mixed methods PhD study will quantify the number of children referred to two different CAMHS teams (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) because they have attempted or been thinking about suicide across three Scottish health boards (Fife and Highland), over a six-month period. It will document the referral outcomes for these children and explore potential relationships between demographic indicators (such as gender, age, and ethnicity) with referral outcomes. A series of individual qualitative interviews will capture the perspective and experience of children referred for suicidality, as well as the views of their parents / carers and CAMHS practitioners.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
19/NS/0031
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion