A MOTHER says her daughter’s life was saved the moment she referred her to a self-harming charity after “giving up” on NHS mental health services.

The frustrated parent hit breaking point following agonising waits to get appointments with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Cumbria for her 16-year-old who has a long history of overdosing.

After giving up on CAMHS, the mother referred her daughter to Self-harm Awareness For All in Duke Street, Barrow – a decision she considers to have been crucial.

She said: “To me they saved my daughter’s life. I can’t commend them enough.

“It’s absolutely amazing the difference that SAFA have made to her.

“She gets a regular time with the same person. They support consistently in person, on the phone or on Facebook which is the way teenage girls communicate.

“I have referred three other people myself. I wouldn’t have know anything about this amazing place but for a friend.

“They are doing on a smaller budget twice as much as what CAMHS are supposed to be doing.”


SAFA, which is based at Heron House, consists of a team of qualified staff that offers counselling and trusting support.

The relationship the girl has developed with her counsellor at SAFA has already had a noticeable impact, with the teen opening up about her problems and addressing her severe depression.

It is a huge contrast to the situation at CAMHS which the mother describes as inconsistent, with it virtually impossible to see the same psychiatrist twice.

The service is currently two psychiatrists short and drafting in temporary staff to fill the gaps in the Barrow and South Cumbria provision.

The mother said: “I have given up on them. We just don’t know who she’ll be seeing. My daughter hated going.

“When we last went to see the psychiatrist it turned out to be a locum. He told me that the position will never be filled.

“It’s unworkable. They have unrealistic goals.”

Information obtained by the Evening Mail shows that clinicians at CAMHS are dealing with higher average case loads, which is leading to long waits for vulnerable children to be seen by the appropriate professionals.

Speaking about this case, Cindy Daltioni, chief executive of SAFA, said: “That’s why we do it. Every single day I hear somebody’s story and how life has changed for them entirely and how they are moving on.

“At SAFA we create a relationship with professional boundaries that enables that person to start talking about their problems and how they can do it different.

“The town is behind us but it’s the people holding the money we need to make listen.

“We don’t get any government funding at all. Our biggest fear is how long can we continue without funding.

“We want to link in with statutory services. We see the need for us every day.”

Last week the Evening Mail launched a petition calling for child mental health services in South Cumbria to be recognised as in crisis as part of our Healthy Young Minds campaign. Hundreds of families have experienced despair while dealing with CAMHS, with long waits for appointments, cancellations, delays in referral and staff shortages just some of the problems faced by service users.

  • You can click here to sign the petition online or sign it in person at the following four venues in Barrow: the Evening Mail office in Abbey Road, John Woodcock’s office in Hartington Street, Self-harm Awareness For All in Duke Street, and the Barrow & District Disability Association in School Street.