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"Adolescent mental health services in WA"

About: Perth Children's Hospital

(as a parent/guardian),

Our family has a long history of involvement with CAMHS through PCH and the community CAMHS centres. My child's recent admission recently ended. They were admitted, the consultant saw them the following day and we were not called by them with any information. I called and asked and spoke to an after hours doctor who had not met my child. It was at the end of my call that they even mentioned the name of the consultant my child was seeing. Then it was the weekend. Nothing happens over the weekend. On the Monday the consultant spoke to my child's private psychologist on the phone - although I consented to this, I only found out about it afterward as they did not let me know it was happening, or what was going to be discussed. Then there was a family meeting and immediate discharge home. My child came home with a Treatment Support and Discharge Plan that was inaccurate, mixing up information from several past admissions and I felt basically not very helpful. 

I currently have an open complaint to the minister about another CAMHS not accepting my child for community-based services. Apparently the private psychiatrist and psychologist that we have sourced ourselves is enough support and they are not eligible for their services. 

Basically, our experiences with the adolescent mental health services in this state have been woeful. Through multiple admissions and serious risk and crisis - numbering nearly 10 - over the past two years we have received only risk containment support, with ambulance, ED and short admissions where I feel nothing is actually done all that is provided. 

I feel disgusted with the support provided to my child and my family. I feel it is a miracle that my family have not become part of the youth suicide statistics in this state, in my opinion it certainly isn't because of the support from CAMHS. 

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Responses

Response from Simon Davies, Director, Specialised CAMHS, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Child & Adolescent Health Service 2 months ago
Simon Davies
Director, Specialised CAMHS, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services,
Child & Adolescent Health Service
Submitted on 8/02/2024 at 10:20 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 9/02/2024 at 11:45 AM


Dear conpc22

We are sorry to hear of the challenges you and your family have faced in navigating the adolescent mental health services in our state. It's clear from your description that you've encountered numerous difficulties and frustrations throughout your interactions, and I understand how profoundly distressing this must be for you and your child.

Your concerns about the adequacy of the support provided by CAMHS, particularly considering the serious risk and crisis your child has faced, are valid and deserving of attention. It’s disheartening to hear that despite multiple admissions and efforts to access community- based services, you feel as though your family has been left without comprehensive support and intervention necessary to address your child’s mental health needs effectively.

We want to assure you that your feedback and frustrations have been heard, and it's essential that your concerns are taken seriously and addressed. Every child and family deserves access to high-quality mental health care that is compassionate, comprehensive, and responsive to their unique needs and circumstances.

I encourage you to contact the Child and Family Liaison Service by phone on 08 6456 0032 or by email at CAHSfeedback@health.wa.gov.au so that we can put you in touch with your child’s treating team and offer further support.

Yours sincerely

Dr Simon Davies
A/Executive Director
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

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