What to do while you wait for CAMHS: a calm guide for parents
If your child has been referred to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and you're now facing a long wait, you are not alone — and you are not powerless. The waiting is one of the hardest parts, but there is a lot you can gently do at home in the meantime. None of it replaces professional support; think of it as steadying the boat until that support arrives.
1. You're already doing something that matters
Simply being a calm, present adult is one of the most protective things in a child's life. You don't need to be a therapist. Small, consistent, ordinary moments — a shared meal, a walk, a bedtime chat — do real work.
2. Build a gentle daily rhythm
Anxiety shrinks when the day feels predictable. Keep wake-up, meals and bedtime roughly consistent. Flag changes in advance. A visible routine (even a simple list on the fridge) helps a worried child feel the ground is steady.
3. Calming tools you can start today
A few simple techniques, used little and often, build a child's ability to self-soothe:
- Box breathing — in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4. Do it together, not at them.
- 5-4-3-2-1 senses — name five things you can see, four you can feel, and so on, to come back to the present.
- A daily feelings check-in — a quick "how are you today, 1 to 10?" makes talking about feelings normal and easy.
PawSteps has a wellbeing journey built around exactly these tools — a daily check-in and gentle animal-themed activities your child can start today.
A daily mood check-in and calming, animal-themed activities — in one gentle place.
Start the wellbeing journey 🐾4. Make space to talk — without pressure
Children often open up side-on: in the car, on a walk, while stroking a pet, never on demand. Ask open questions, then listen more than you fix. "That sounds really hard" is often more helpful than a solution.
5. Look after yourself too
You can't pour from an empty cup. Accept help, keep one thing that's just for you, and talk to your own GP or a friend. Your steadiness is your child's anchor.
This article is general information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you're worried about your child, contact your GP or the service you've been referred to.