Child and adolescent mental health
The child and adolescent mental health unit (CAMHS) provides mental health assessment and treatment services to tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) aged from newborn to 18 years old.
On this page
Contact and locations
Our services are available from 8am to 4:30pm.
To contact Wellington Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS):
- phone: 04 806 0002
- freephone: 0800 426 522
You can find us at:
21 Hania Street (Te Whare Tipu)
Mount Victoria
Wellington
To contact Porirua Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (PCAMHS):
- phone: 04 381 1660
- freephone: 0800 722 647 (0800 PCAMHS)
You can find us at:
Level 3
BNZ Tower
14 Hartham Place
Porirua
To contact Kāpiti Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS):
- phone: 04 903 0260
- freephone: 0800 300 058
You can find us at:
Kāpiti Health Centre
35 Warrimoo Street
Paraparaumu
To contact Wairarapa Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) or Te Ratonga Aranga Mokopuna Arangi (Te RAMA):
- freephone: 0800 851 600
You can find us at:
Level 2
49-51 Lincoln Road
Masterton
To contact the Hutt Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Service (ICAFS):
- phone: 04 570 9600
- freephone: 0800 122 123
You can find us at:
Nikau Centre
Hutt Hospital
622 High Street
Lower Hutt
Services we provide
We will first asses your tamariki or rangatahi to find out about their mental health problem. This will help us decide how to best help them. If we find they:
- have a moderate or severe mental health problem, we will arrange for another appointment with our service
- have only a mild mental health problem, we may recommend some activities or exercises that you and your child can try at home
- do not have a mental health problem, we may refer your child to a service that will provide more appropriate help for their issue.
What to expect at the first appointment
At your child's first appointment, we will talk with them and you to try to understand the problem. We will ask you questions about how your family works and how your child functions within your family. We may also try to talk with:
- other whānau members
- other people who know your child well such as teachers at their school or preschool (with your permission).
If we believe your child may have a moderate to severe mental health problem and that we are the best service to help, we will arrange an appointment with a case manager to continue your child's care.
Treatments and care we provide
We have a range of professionals who work as a team to assess and treat tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau.
The team may include:
- family therapists
- occupational therapists
- psychiatrists
- psychologists
- mental health nurses
- social workers
- psychotherapists
- employment and study specialists.
Not every service location has the same range of professionals.
Culturally based mental health services
Tamariki with Māori whakapapa can choose to receive support and treatment based in Te Aō Māori from our Māori mental health service — Te Whare Mārie.
Te Whare Mārie — Māori mental health service
Pacific children can choose to see our specialist Pacific community mental health team — Health Pasifika.
Referral information
We accept referrals from:
- tamariki and rangatahi
- parents or caregivers
- GPs and other healthcare providers
- schools.
We encourage you first to talk to your GP or other healthcare provider as a first step to getting support.
Most mental health and addiction problems can be treated successfully by your GP or other healthcare provider. They can refer you to us if you need specialist mental health or addiction treatment.
If you need more information, contact the service in your area.