A Mother’s Four-Year Battle for Mental Health Support for Her Daughter

Jill Harrison’s story began in the chaos of the pandemic, a narrative that would take her down a treacherous path of failing systems and endless waiting lists. The gloomy clouds of uncertainty loomed over her family as her daughter Amber, an 11-year-old known affectionately as “Ambi Bambi,” began showing signs of severe anxiety and distress. “We were just trying to survive each day,” says Jill, a full-time mother from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, reflecting the pain of a journey that left her feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

The Descent into Despair

For Jill, it all started during lockdown, when Amber’s emotional struggles spiraled into an unmanageable ordeal. School closures blurred the lines between home and educational environments, exacerbating Amber’s anxiety. “She didn’t just struggle; she was almost incapacitated,” Jill recalls, her voice heavy with a mother’s anguish. Some mornings, Amber would look “sad and find places to hide,” unable to muster the strength to face another day of school. As her behavior deteriorated—leading to screaming, crying, and even head-banging—Jill’s desperation deepened.

A Call for Help

In a bid for help, Jill self-referred to social care, a moment that would only augment her feelings of vulnerability. “I felt like I was putting in a safeguarding request for my own family, that’s how desperate I was,” she explains. Yet, the response from social services was less than supportive, leading to further feelings of isolation and criticism of her home environment, which she believed only scratched the surface of their situation. “It was intrusive. I felt criticized rather than supported,” she remarks.

As Amber’s situation worsened, the family began navigating a maze of health services, often feeling lost in the shuffle. “We were handed from service to service,” Jill laments. Amber was referred to the NHS’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in March 2021 but didn’t receive her first consultation until April, only to be escalated to Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) later that year with no immediate access to help.

The Consequences of Delay

As echoed by a recent study from the Mental Health Foundation, “Over 600,000 children in the UK are currently on waiting lists for mental health support.” Jill’s case reflects this alarming statistic; the lack of timely support not only exacerbated Amber’s anxiety but also deeply affected Jill’s mental health, to the point where she felt suicidal. “It’s broken us,” she shares, narrating the toll the struggle has taken on her family. “I’m just a shadow of the person I was.”

Finding Solutions Amidst the Chaos

After four years of feeling invisible in the health care system, Jill finally found solace in May 2023, when Amber entered Newcastle’s Complex Neuro-Developmental Service (CNDS). “The difference was night and day,” Jill says, relief flooding her voice. In this newfound environment, a comprehensive assessment was conducted, and they began to put together a treatment plan tailored to Amber’s needs, focusing on the anxious impulses that had overwhelmed her.

• Initial Referral to CAMHS: March 2021
• Escalation to CYPS: October 2021
• Access to CNDS: May 2023
• Number of services engaged: Multiple, leading to chronic frustration

Her relief was palpable but tinged with a sense of dread about how long it took to get here. “I could see it unravelling. I was trying to be proactive, but when you don’t have anything to bridge the gap in the meantime, everything spirals,” she reflects. Jill emphasizes the long-standing stigma surrounding mental health, especially for children, arguing that proactive measures should be prioritized.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Alongside her burgeoning support from CNDS, Jill discovered an innovative app, Orli Health, designed by former A&E doctor Dr. Mark Cox. “Orli has been a massive part of our solution,” she asserts, lauding its combination of engaging games, tips, and exercises tailored for children facing mental health hurdles. “Having that outlet, knowing there are people who understand, is huge.” Dr. Cox elaborates, “We created Orli Health to meet an urgent need. Our current mental health system is overwhelmed and can’t keep up with the rising number of children who require support.”

According to data from the Children’s Mental Health Coalition, about 1 in 6 children aged 5 to 16 in England currently experience a mental health issue. Jill, like countless other parents, is cognizant that these challenges often stretch beyond individual struggles; they ripple through entire families. “It is emotionally exhausting, not just on you but on everyone involved,” she shares.

The Ongoing Fight

As Amber begins to stabilize under her new treatment path, Jill is left grappling with the chilling reality that such a dire situation could have been mitigated. “I just wish this had happened three years ago,” she states, voice thick with frustration. Her experience has highlighted a critical gap in community support, leaving her to feel like she was waving a flag in a storm, fighting for her child amidst bureaucratic challenges.

Moreover, the impact on Amber’s older sister, Isla, who has taken on informal caregiving responsibilities, adds another layer of strain. “Isla helps Amber get dressed, keeps her calm during the chaos—she’s an incredible sister,” Jill observes. “But I can see the toll it’s taking on Isla, worrying about her little sister every day.”

Even as the family steps toward a more stable future, the scars of systemic failure remain. “When you reach out for support, it’s for a reason,” Jill emphasizes. “You’ve exhausted all your tools, you’re not being heard.” Through this harrowing journey, she has unearthed the profound need for a responsive and supportive mental health framework—one that prioritizes early intervention and community-based resources.

As the final chapter in this prolonged saga of struggle unfolds, Jill Harrison continues to advocate not just for Amber, but for families like hers, pushing for a system that truly values the mental health of children and their caregivers. “Every support matters—every voice matters,” she insists, holding onto hope in a world that has often felt like it turned its back on her.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk