Mental health service transitions for young people
Practice example - Leaflet for young people: Rowan Centre, Elgin, Morayshire
Purpose
To provide information for young people and their families about services and what to expect during the transition process
The Rowan Centre based in Elgin, Morayshire produced a leaflet for young people and their families titled ‘Moving onto adult mental health services - planning for the change. Information about transitional care and adult mental health services’. Some of these young people move to adult services at the age of 16 (depending on the geographical area they live in and according to their diagnosis).
The transitional services sub-group of professionals who produced the leaflet had wide representation from CAMHS and adult services (psychology, psychiatry, psychotherapy, drug and alcohol services, social work, occupational therapy, nursing staff involved in liaison and out of hours work). The group reported back to the Adult Clinical Services group frequently, so raising the profile of young people in transition throughout the service. The subgroup also produced a guide for professionals on principles of good care at the time of a young person’s transition.
Young people who were nearing transition between services were asked to make comments on the leaflet. All were positive about it, although changes suggested were incorporated into the final version.
The Centre is continuing to hold sub group meetings to make sure information is updated and to audit transitional services.
