Programme Areas

Crisis / acute, Mental health

Programme Type

Intake / assessment, Non-acute specialist mental health community services

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.