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Damien Dalmayne, 17, is autistic. He also battles mental health issues that have left him unable to get out of bed and contemplating harming himself.

Warning: This story contains references to suicide

“There were thoughts of me doing stuff to myself. I never did but there were stages where it would get pretty hard and it really did get to that point that I was really considering it,” Damien says.

His depression spiralled during the COVID lockdowns and when he was 15 he was referred to his local NHS mental health team in Greenwich.

The paediatrician who made the referral recommended that Damien be seen “urgently”.

But Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) rejected the referral, instead referring Damien and his family to a local social services team.

Damien believes he was rejected because of his autism diagnosis.

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“They [CAMHS] think they can’t help people with special needs. They think ‘that’s just a terminal illness’ even though it’s not,” says Damien.

In its rejection letter, Greenwich CAMHS agreed Damien “experiences emotional difficulties”.

But, noting his autism diagnosis, it suggested he see the area’s Children with Disabilities Team, rather than a specialist mental health service.

Crucially, his mother, Emma Dalmayne, says this meant they were unable to access specialist services like therapy to help Damien.

Autism and mental health ‘seen as separate issues’

Ms Dalmayne says a confused social worker called her after Damien’s referral was redirected to their team.

“They said ‘why have we been called?’ I said ‘I don’t know’.”

“CAMHS see autism and mental health as separate for some reason,” says Ms Dalmayne.

“If you’re not well you go to a doctor, you get help. But no, if you’re mentally ill and autistic and go to a doctor, you’re not getting anything. You’re told ‘well we can’t see you because you have a neurological difference’.”

The NHS trust responsible for Greenwich CAMHS said it is unable to comment on individual cases but stressed it does accept referrals for autistic children who have a “severe and enduring mental health need”.

However, it said children may be referred to other services “where referrals do not meet the threshold for CAMHS”.

CAMHS are run by different health trusts throughout the UK.

Emma Dalmayne
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Ms Dalmayne is campaigning for better access to CAMHS for autistic children

Ms Dalmayne says she has spoken to other parents with autistic children who have had similar experiences.

She says she knows one mother who is scared to tell her local CAMHS that her son has been diagnosed as autistic because she worries they will stop his care.

“It’s not an inclusive world. We don’t feel included at all,” says Ms Dalmayne, who is also autistic.

Damien believes NHS services don’t think autistic people can engage effectively with therapy.

“It’s not like just talking to a wall. They [autistic children] will end up listening and if they can they will end up talking.”

He says his experience with CAMHS left him feeling “inhuman”.

Damien ended up using his disability benefits to pay for private therapy.

“If I had waited probably six months [longer to get therapy], I probably wouldn’t be here. They [CAMHS] really put my health at risk,” he says.

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Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, which administers Greenwich CAMHS, said: “Currently, just over 16% of our CAMHS caseload includes children and young people with both an autism diagnosis and a severe and enduring mental health need. This does not include children and young people either waiting for or currently being assessed by an autism diagnostic service alongside CAMHS.

“Should individual circumstances change, re-referrals can be made. CAMHS is just one part of a much larger collection of services delivering emotional health and wellbeing support and services to children and young people.”

People with autism more likely to experience mental health issues

Sky News tried to get a clearer picture of autistic children’s access to CAMHS across the UK, but when we requested data from health trusts, the majority did not disclose the number of referrals and rejections for autistic children.

We did learn of the serious pressure facing services nationally, with data showing total referrals to CAMHS had risen by 60% between 2018 and 2023. Rejections from CAMHS were up by 30% across the same period.

While it’s difficult to get a sense of the number of autistic children accessing CAMHS, autistic people are more likely to experience mental health problems than people who aren’t autistic.

Damien says the rejection by CAMHS put his health at risk
Image:
Damien says the rejection by CAMHS put his health at risk

Sky News spoke to one CAMHS nurse anonymously – we aren’t identifying the health trust she works for.

She said nationally it’s a mixed picture in terms of the level of care autistic children receive.

“We [CAMHS] certainly don’t do enough for children that have been diagnosed with autism in terms of their post-diagnostic support.”

She says she has witnessed preconceptions about autism among staff that can lead to autistic children not getting the care they need.

Skills ‘aren’t consistent’ across health service

“Some people [working in CAMHS], sometimes might tend to say ‘well it’s [their issues are] because of their autism’ as opposed to thinking well actually they might be autistic but they can also have a mental health difficulty that can be supported,” says the nurse.

“A child that has autism and mental health needs, that’s not going to be solved by social services, they need mental health support.”

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She says skills aren’t “consistent” across the health service and that autistic children can be at a disadvantage if their behaviour means more traditional forms of talking therapy aren’t appropriate.

The nurse continues: “I’ve known it happen where people say ‘oh this person is not engaging’ so they get discharged.

“Sometimes therapy is not always helpful, then it’s about different, more holistic ways to support children and support behavioural changes.

“I do think there’s a need to increase skills within CAMHS absolutely. [Staff] recruitment and retention has been difficult across the board.”

Ms Dalmayne is campaigning for better access to CAMHS for autistic children, her biggest fear is that autistic children and adults are hurting, and even killing themselves, if they can’t access mental health support.

“It makes me feel we’ve got to do everything we can to change it,” she says.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

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Second teenager dies after car crash in West Midlands – as two others suffer serious injuries

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Second teenager dies after car crash in West Midlands - as two others suffer serious injuries

Two teenagers have died and another is fighting for his life after a late night car crash in Shropshire.

A collision involving a silver Audi A1 occurred shortly before 11.15pm on Friday in Offoxey Road, Tong – near the town of Shifnal, West Mercia Police said.

It has since been confirmed an 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 17-year-old boy died in hospital.

Another 17-year-old boy is still being treated in hospital and is in a critical condition after sustaining life-threatening injuries in the crash.

A fourth, also a 17-year-old boy, sustained what has been described as “life-changing” injuries but is in a stable condition, police said.

“Officers investigating the collision are continuing to appeal for anyone who may have information about the incident to get in touch,” a police spokesperson said.

Anyone with information is footage is asked to contact DC Rich Owen on 07814773916 or SCIUNorth@westmercia.police.uk quoting incident number 554 of 14 March

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Newcastle United beat Liverpool to win Carabao Cup – ending 70-year wait for domestic trophy

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Newcastle United beat Liverpool to win Carabao Cup - ending 70-year wait for domestic trophy

Newcastle United have won their first domestic trophy in 70 years after beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup.

Tens of thousands of Magpies fans flooded the capital to watch their team end their drought against last year’s winners at Wembley.

TV presenters Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin were among fans rejoicing in the stands, while celebrations erupted across Newcastle.

The club lifted the European Inter-City Fairs Cup in 1969 but haven’t won a domestic trophy since their 1955 FA Cup victory.

Newcastle win Carabao Cup. Pic: PA
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Newcastle win Carabao Cup. Pic: PA

TV presenters Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin celebrate in the stands. Pic: Reuters
Image:
TV presenters Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin celebrate in the stands. Pic: Reuters

Fans celebrate in a pub in Newcastle. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Fans celebrate in a pub in Newcastle. Pic: Reuters

Liverpool, who have won 38 major trophies since the Black and Whites last got their hands on any silverware, went into the match as heavy favourites.

The last time the teams met, in the league last month, Liverpool eased to a 2-0 win – and they sit comfortably top of the Premier League table, seemingly headed for the title.

But Newcastle had the best of the first half and got their reward as local hero Dan Burn headed home from a corner just before half time, sending supporters into dreamland.

They found the back of the net again early in the second half, but the celebrations were cut short as the goal was disallowed for offside.

Dan Burn (left) and Fabian Schar celebrate winning the Carabao Cup. Pic: PA
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Dan Burn (left) and Fabian Schar celebrate winning the Carabao Cup. Pic: PA

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Minutes later, Alexander Isak struck and this time it did count, doubling Newcastle’s lead and sending the Geordie faithful in the crowd wild once more.

Liverpool gave themselves a lifeline in stoppage time with a goal from Federico Chiesa – after a tense VAR check – but Newcastle held on to secure the win.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe celebrates. Pic: PA
Image:
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe celebrates. Pic: PA

Bruno Guimaraes (left) and Anthony Gordon celebrate. Pic: PA
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Bruno Guimaraes (left) and Anthony Gordon celebrate. Pic: PA

‘For them it’s like the World Cup’

Eddie Howe, who became the first English manager to win a domestic trophy since Harry Redknapp in 2008 in front of a crowd of 88,513, told Sky Sports he was “very emotional”.

“We just knew what was at stake today for all the people here, all the people back in Newcastle and we just wanted to do them proud,” he said.

“We were desperate to try and win the trophy after all the years of hurt. I’m so pleased not just with the result, but with the performance. I thought we deserved the win today.”

Bruno Guimaraes described his side’s win as “one of the best days” of his life, telling Sky Sports: “It’s a lot for these fans, they deserve everything.”

“For them this is like the World Cup. People have not seen Newcastle as champions. We are here to make history and I’m very happy. We deserve this, this is unbelievable.”

Liverpool’s League Cup loss comes just days after the Premier League leaders were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St Germain (PSG) on penalties.

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Prince Harry immigration files must be made public next week, US court rules

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Prince Harry immigration files must be made public next week, US court rules

Prince Harry’s immigration files must be made public by this Tuesday, a US court has ruled.

Judge Carl Nichols ordered documents relating to the Duke of Sussex‘s US visa application to be released as part of an ongoing Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

The FOI request was brought by conservative US think-tank the Heritage Foundation, which alleges the duke may have concealed past drug use and that should have disqualified him from obtaining a US visa.

Judge Nichols ordered the US Department of Homeland Security to release a redacted version of the documents no later than Tuesday, according to court filings dated 15 March.

However, in September 2024, the same judge previously said that the public did not have a strong interest in the disclosure of Harry’s immigration records.

But the Heritage Foundation wanted the judgment changed.

It questioned why Harry was allowed into the US in 2020 after the royal referenced taking cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms in his book Spare.

More on Prince Harry

In his memoir, Harry said cocaine “didn’t do anything for me”, adding: “Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me.”

The foundation also said that answers about his prior drug use in his visa application could raise questions over the US government’s integrity.

Despite refusing the previous FOI request, lawyers for the Department of Homeland Security agreed in February to release redacted versions of the forms.

“Specifically, Defendant would propose redacting all information in these items that would reveal information that the Court has determined Defendant can withhold,” department lawyer John Bardo wrote in a court filing.

In February, President Donald Trump ruled out deporting Harry from the US, telling The New York Post: “I’ll leave him alone.”

He added: “He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has been a vocal critic of Mr Trump and called him “divisive” and a “misogynist”.

Mr Trump, in a GB News interview with Nigel Farage in March last year, also said Harry should not receive preferential treatment.

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He said: “No. We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they’ll have to take appropriate action.”

The royal moved to the US in 2020, following a brief spell in Canada, with his wife Meghan, after the couple’s split from the rest of the Royal Family. They have lived in California ever since.

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