Hi there,
I'm so sorry to read your experience... when I read it I could relate to everything you said as if I'd written it myself. You might have seen my earlier posts on this thread about my experience. I get how desperate it feels and how lonely.
The Speek team are so supportive and their advice is amazing. They are proof that although it feels like you are alone, you're not.
It's horrific that you have to end up in A&E just to be listened to. We have experienced the same thing. In the last few months I have started calling and emailing camhs every time there is an incident of self harm. I dont know if it's coincidence or not but last week when I took my daughter in for a crisis appointment after another incident, they told me I am now number 7 on the list and should be allocated a key worker within the next few weeks! I cried as it was so unexpected...we've waited nearly 2 years to get to this point and I had heard rumours it could be 4 years before we were seen so this seemed like such a huge breakthrough! A week on from our visit and the doubt is creeping back in and I'm wondering if we will get that call or not .... all I can say is it might have helped that I started to be a nuisance, so could be worth a try if you haven't already been doing this. And in the meantime look after yourself. I really hope you and your daughter get the help you deserve ️

Thank you so much for this amazing response. It's the most helpful advice/guidance I've received to date!
I should have said, school are being very helpful and have offered counselling, reduced timetable, 2 x Ed Psych observations and other adjustment. They have told me they are putting things in place as if she had a confirmed ASD diagnosis, even though she hasn't. However I don't know if there would be any additional support we could expect if we had a formal diagnosis? Or if we should be grateful for the support she is getting currently? I think for her own mental health it would help her to understand why she feels the way she does and why she needs self harm to cope.
I will get started on looking into the other suggestions you've made. Thank you again

Hi, thank you for providing this service. I am feeling lost as to how to help my 14 yo daughter who has self harmed for 2 years. School are adamant she has ASD/ADHD but we've been on the CAMHS waiting list for 20 months already and no sign of getting help. Ive also applied for an assessment via right to choose and have been on their list for 6 months. I'm considering paying privately now but there's so much choice out there I dont know where to start and im worried in case the NHS dont then recognise a private diagnosis. Any advice or experience would be greatly received.