Young people's experiences waiting for mental health services.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences of waiting for mental health services, from the perspectives of young people (12-18 years old) who self-harm.
IRAS ID
332898
Contact name
Barbara Mezes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 16 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of waiting for NHS Children and Adolescent Mental Health services Northwest England from the perspectives of young people who self-harm(ed). It will develop an understanding of the positive and negative experiences, coping strategies and resources used during the wait time, and needs not met. A total of 15 young people aged 12-18 years old, who were referred to services in the past three years and waited for at least four weeks for input, will be recruited. A main reason for their referral would be linked to self-harm. Participants will be recruited through 4 North West England NHS children and young people’s mental health services. They will be interviewed using a recorded semi-structured interview to explore their experiences. The interviews will then be transcribed and analysed using Thematic Analysis. This means the researcher will examine the transcripts of the interviews to identify common themes, topics, and ideas that repeatedly come up. The research study findings will then be shared with services and the wider public with aim to improve mental health services for children and young people.
Lay summary of study results: Eleven young people (7 female, 3 male, 1 other) from England (10 white british, 1 south asian), aged 14-18 years old (average age 16.6 years old) took part. They had waited four weeks or more (14.5 months on average) for treatment for self-harm from NHS Children and Young People's Mental Health Services in the past six years.
Following analysis 6 themes were identified:
1) Trapped in a fog. Waiting was experienced as disorientating and never-ending, exacerbated by a lack of communication or clarity from services.
2) Fighting a battle for worth. Participants described experiencing a sense of rejection from services during the waiting time, which led individuals to question their worth regarding receiving support.
3) Crying out for help. Participants experienced an escalation of visible displays of distress as a coping mechanism, to communicate their struggles, and seek recognition.
4) Can’t do it alone. Support from others including parents, peers, and other professionals were experienced as crucial. However, not everyone had access to support networks and these supports were left to take on therapeutic burdens.
5) Short-term relief. Coping strategies such as apps, hobbies, and distractions provided temporary relief.
6) Collateral impacts. Participants described experiencing significant disruption to their education, interpersonal relationships, and longer-term view of themselves during the wait.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/WM/0008
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion