Improvements on our children's mental health wards

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) provides Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester, and Rochford Hospital.

This week is Children’s Mental Health Week, and we are highlighting ways in which we are helping children and young people feel safe, comfortable and cared for on our wards.

A bright and welcoming ward environment

EPUT’s Estates Team and artistic young people have transformed Poplar Ward at Rochford Hospital. Colourful and inspiring murals cover feature walls in the lounge, dining room and sensory room.

Matron Rachael Smith said: “We have had some very talented artistic young people stay on the ward, who have contributed to some of the artwork on the walls.

“We encourage young people to paint inspiring pictures or quotes for patients that will stay after them. This has helped the ward feel more bright and colourful and has also helped ease anxiety for young people who may often be experiencing their first prolonged time away from family.”

One of the offices has been converted into a sensory room, which Rachael said has helped enhance the wellbeing of the young patients. Elsewhere, the ward has also benefited from new flooring, enhanced fire-proof doors, and a fresh coat of paint.

New therapy techniques

Staff working on our CAMHS wards have been trained in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), a type of talking therapy specially adapted for people who feel emotions very intensely.

New DBT skills groups on wards are helping young people learn new coping strategies. By empowering young people to manage challenging emotions, DBT is also helping reduce the need for certain medications.

In November 2022, the EPUT CAMHS inpatient team received a Positive Practice in Mental Health Award for their use of DBT.

Activities on the ward

Our CAMHS ward teams have recently expanded to include dedicated Activity Coordinators. Their role is to plan meaningful activities on the ward for young people to engage in.

Activities appeal to a wide range of interests, including art, creative writing, music, sensory activities, walking, table tennis, games and quizzes. They have also have a number of activities planned for the coming days linked to Children’s Mental Health Week.

Activities help create a sense of community on the ward, as well as giving young people a ‘safe space’ and a distraction from worries or anxiety.

Activity Coordinators have a significant positive impact on young people’s stay. One young person said: “Our Activity Coordinator is always making sure we are OK, even when we are struggling. He never fails to make us laugh and is always kind to us.

“Especially when we’re new, he always makes everyone feel so welcomed. Having people  like him on the ward makes it so much easier.”