- Programme Areas
Crisis / acute,
Mental health
- Programme Type
Intake / assessment,
Mental health assessment and treatment
- Regions
Waikato
- Age Groups
Child / Tamariki,
Youth / Rangatahi
- Referral Types
Self referral,
GP,
DHB clinical services,
Corrections
Referral Process
Anybody can make a referral, including the young person. Referrals should be made to Ngaa Ringa Awhina's Single Point of Entry Service. For more information, click here or call (07) 839 5146.
Most referrals are from GPs, family, friends, medical specialists, school guidance counsellors, Police Youth Aid, schools and education services, Oranga Tamariki, and community groups.
We expect the infant/child/adolescent's GP to be informed and involved as the primary medical caregiver, even if they did not make the original referral.
We cannot accept children and adolescents with problems related solely to:
- intellectual disability (includes post head injury) with or without behavioural problems
- learning difficulties
- criminal activities (anti-social behaviours)
- parenting difficulties
Description
The Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (ICAMHS) is a free, community service for infants, children and adolescents up to 18 years old and their families/whānau.
We provide assessment and treatment for infants, children and adolescents with moderate to severe mental health problems.
We offer a confidential and culturally safe service which includes:
- comprehensive assessment, including specialist tests/investigations, where indicated
- a wide range of outpatient treatments including medications, psychological therapies, individual/group/family work and other appropriate interventions as indicated form the findings of the assessments
If inpatient treatment is required we access the Starship Hospital in Auckland, after a thorough assessment and discussion with the child/adolescent's family.