TY - JOUR
AU - W. Gallini-Poole
AU - M. J. Norton
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Discharge planning should be considered for all individuals attending mental health services from the first visit and should involve the individual, whenever possible. However, despite this ideal and evidence for planned discharge, many services still carry out this process in silos, away from the individual it impacts most. PURPOSE: This paper aims to reflect on Will's experience of discharge during his time with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in order to demonstrate the importance of discharge planning in such services. METHOD: This is a first person narrative weaved with input from the academic literature in order to examine discharge planning within CAMHS. FINDINGS: As demonstrated through this lived experience piece, when discharge is planned efficiently and with the person involved throughout, then the overall experience of the service and of the discharge process, particularly in CAMHS, is a positive one. However, as noted in this narrative, unfortunately, this ideal is often not met, and despite the good that is achieved from accessing services, discharge when unplanned and not considered in the unique context of the person can lead to a return to unwellness. In essence, this narrative advocates for a recovery-oriented, person-centred approach to discharge planning and execution in CAMHS so that a person, like Will, can live a life of their choosing, free from unwellness.
AD - Dorset Mental Health Forum, Dorchester, UK.; Imroc Head Office, PO Box 11115, Nottingham, NG14 6U, UK.; Adult Continuing Education, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.; Graduate School of Healthcare Management, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
AN - 41472446
BT - J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs
C5 - Healthcare Disparities
CP - 2
DA - 04/2026
DO - 10.1111/jpm.70088
DP - NLM
ET - 20251230
IS - 2
JF - J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs
LA - eng
N2 - BACKGROUND: Discharge planning should be considered for all individuals attending mental health services from the first visit and should involve the individual, whenever possible. However, despite this ideal and evidence for planned discharge, many services still carry out this process in silos, away from the individual it impacts most. PURPOSE: This paper aims to reflect on Will's experience of discharge during his time with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in order to demonstrate the importance of discharge planning in such services. METHOD: This is a first person narrative weaved with input from the academic literature in order to examine discharge planning within CAMHS. FINDINGS: As demonstrated through this lived experience piece, when discharge is planned efficiently and with the person involved throughout, then the overall experience of the service and of the discharge process, particularly in CAMHS, is a positive one. However, as noted in this narrative, unfortunately, this ideal is often not met, and despite the good that is achieved from accessing services, discharge when unplanned and not considered in the unique context of the person can lead to a return to unwellness. In essence, this narrative advocates for a recovery-oriented, person-centred approach to discharge planning and execution in CAMHS so that a person, like Will, can live a life of their choosing, free from unwellness.
PY - 2026
SN - 1351-0126
SP - 256
EP - 260+
ST - 'What Comes With Goodbye?' Discharge Planning in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services-A Lived Experience Narrative
T1 - 'What Comes With Goodbye?' Discharge Planning in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services-A Lived Experience Narrative
T2 - J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs
TI - 'What Comes With Goodbye?' Discharge Planning in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services-A Lived Experience Narrative
U1 - Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.1111/jpm.70088
VL - 33
VO - 1351-0126
Y1 - 2026
ER -