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To Sam

How can I cope while waiting?

Hi, I am a teenager. I have been referred to CAMHS and I've recently had a referral for an autism assessment rejected. I feel like I seem to always be waiting (waiting for a meeting with my teacher, waiting for a referral, waiting for support) and it's affecting my mental health more and more. Do you have any advice on how to navigate this difficult time?

Ask Sam

Sam

Hi there,

Reaching out for help can take a lot of courage, so it’s understandable you’d find it so difficult when you’re having to wait to get the support you need. You should never have to cope alone, and Childline is here for all young people.

Whether you’re waiting for support or not, it can be good to focus on your own self-care. This may not change the reasons you need support, but it can help make it easier to cope. There are small things you can do every day to help:

  • Look after your physical health
    Keep active, eat healthily and keep to a routine that gives you enough sleep.
  • Talk to people in your life
    This could be friends, adults you trust, or people like your GP. Talking and keeping in contact can help remind you that you’re not alone.
  • Make time to relax
    Use our Calm Zone or Coping Kit for ideas of things you can do, or get ideas from others on the message boards.
  • Give yourself a break
    Remind yourself that you’ve not done anything wrong, and that you’re not alone in finding things difficult.

There may be times when things feel difficult. It can help to make a plan of things you can do if things are getting too much, downloading our mental health first aid kit can help with that.

Remember, Childline can be here for you throughout this time. You can get support from a counsellor here whenever you need it.

Take care,

Sam

Need help straight away?

You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.

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