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The lack of help for my adolescent's mental health issues

Posted By Unheard

"The lack of help for my adolescent's mental health issues"

About: Joondalup Health Campus / Emergency Department Perth Children's Hospital / Ward 5A - Mental Health

(as a parent/guardian),

My adolescent child was struggling with self harm and suicidal ideation, I took them to Perth Children's Hospital. 8 weeks they were there, they had blood tests done and it took me almost 2 weeks to finally get the results told to me. I felt I constantly was calling, speaking to new people all the time, different doctors etc. I begged for my child to be given medication but just told therapy is what they need. I was told they had heart issues but on discharge it has been written that there are none. I felt my partner and I have been spoken to like we were uneducated idiots, I recall I was told I can't retain information. As I understand it, my child's self harm increased in hospital and their mental health had deteriorated even more. Leave plans were written up but never followed through and it seemed my advice when I get my child home if things go bad are to call crisis lines and take them back to hospital or call the police. My child's follow up is to attend a therapy appointment once a week. I feel this is not enough. 

My adolescent child has given up, tells me no one cares and that it is easier if they take their own life. My child had been home 1 week, they had been brought back to me by police in handcuffs after running away. I called the ambulance because my child was determined they were killing themself, they now sit at Joondalup Hospital, at the time of writing this, still waiting to be seen by a psychiatrist. 

I need medication for my child so I can manage their symptoms and so I can keep them alive so they can do ongoing therapy. I have put a complaint into PCH and contacted my local MP. I don't know how much longer we can hang on though.

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Responses

Response from Maureen Lewis, A/Executive Director, Office of the Chief Executive, Perth Children’s Hospital nearly 2 years ago
Maureen Lewis
A/Executive Director, Office of the Chief Executive,
Perth Children’s Hospital

Submitted on 14/06/2022 at 12:09 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:09 PM

Dear Unheard

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns on Care Opinion. I acknowledge that for families of children and young people with mental health conditions, life can be more difficult and that parents, caregivers and the extended family unit may experience significant challenges in ensuring their children receive the very best care and treatment.

Your child’s treating Psychiatrist has provided a response where he confirmed that he has communicated directly to you and your partner about the results of blood tests and other investigations. These results were also documented in the discharge summary of the first admission. The treating Psychiatrist would be more than happy to discuss the discharge plan and the options of medication further with you or you may like to contact a family support person from the Family Support Network.

We are very sorry to hear that you and your family continue to struggle with your child’s mental health concerns. Your child is currently receiving treatment via a CAMHS team and we strongly encourage your family to engage in the treatment provided.

Please be assured that we take all feedback about our services very seriously and comments received enable us to review practice and improve the care and service we provide.

Kind regards,

Maureen Lewis

A/Executive Director

Office of the Chief Executive

Perth Children’s Hospital

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Response from Dr Kevin Hartley, Director of Medical Services, Joondalup Health Campus nearly 2 years ago
Dr Kevin Hartley
Director of Medical Services,
Joondalup Health Campus

Submitted on 14/06/2022 at 12:09 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:09 PM

Dear Unheard

Thank you for contacting Care Opinion and providing us with your reflection and feedback.

Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) does not have a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service on site. For patients under 18 years that present to the JHC Emergency Department (ED), we do our best to provide an initial assessment and provide access to Emergency Telehealth Services (ETS).

JHC attempts to link patients and their families to relevant and appropriate child services. These include the inpatient care and emergency services provided at the Perth Children’s Hospital. There are also community-based services, such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Headspace or Community Managed Organisations (CMOs).

JHC is progressing with plans for a new inpatient mental health facility that will be providing dedicated Youth services (patients aged 16-24 years) in a unit that will be less hospital-like and more residential style. It is anticipated that the Unit build will be completed in 2023.

I trust that you have been able to access appropriate services and support for your child.

Kind regards

Dr Kevin Hartley

Director of Medical Services

Joondalup Health Campus

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