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Abstract
Most UK child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) support young people up
to the age of 17/18, at which point they are discharged, or transition to an adult
service. This transition is often difficult for young people, as they also face the
complex physical and psychosocial
changes of adolescence. Transition from CAMHS is often poorly managed, with negative
outcomes for young people. Improved preparation may improve both outcomes and experience.
We worked with 17 young people and staff from three NHS mental health foundation trusts
to co-produce the CAMHS Transition
Preparation Programme (TPP), deliverable in routine NHS settings. We took a creative,
participatory approach to maximize young people's involvement in the research. Young
people steered the direction of the work, and were involved in decision-making and
dissemination both nationally and within
their trusts. In this commentary, two young participant–researchers and one NHS staff
member describe the project from their perspectives.