My name is Carly and I am Reggie’s mother.

I am speaking today not just as a parent, but as someone who has been living every parent’s worst nightmare for years — fighting to keep my child alive.

Reggie seriously self-harmd. Instead of receiving the urgent care and understanding he desperately needed, he was pepper sprayed twice by police officers this week. My son was in a mental health crisis, not committing a crime. He needed protection, compassion, and specialist help.

He was then taken to hospital, where I believed he would finally be safe and treated as a priority. But that did not happen. Instead, we faced delays, a lack of urgency, and a system that seemed unable to respond to the seriousness of what he was going through.

Over many hospital visits, I was told my son was “bed blocking.” Imagine hearing that about your child when you are terrified they may try to end their life. Imagine sitting there as a parent, feeling completely helpless, while the system meant to protect your child treats them as an inconvenience.

Assessments were carried out, and at times we were told that because Reggie appeared calm in that moment, he was not considered a priority. But anyone who understands mental health knows that calm does not mean safe. Calm does not mean the crisis is over.

This has not been a short-term situation. Reggie is still in crisis today, and this has been going on for years. For years I have been fighting to keep my son alive, navigating systems that often feel unprepared to deal with the reality of severe youth mental health struggles.

Reggie was also let down by the education system. Schools should be places where children are supported when they struggle, but too many young people with serious mental health needs fall through the cracks.

What our family has experienced highlights a much bigger issue. Police officers, social workers, and many frontline professionals are being asked to respond to serious mental health crises without the specialist training they need. This is unfair to them and dangerous for the children and families who depend on them.

No child in mental health crisis should be pepper sprayed.
No parent should be left terrified that their child might die by suicide while asking for help.
And no family should be made to feel that their child is simply a “bed blocker.”

We need change.

We need proper mental health training for police officers, social workers, and frontline staff so that children in crisis are met with care, not force.

We need hospitals to treat serious self-harm and suicide risk with the urgency it deserves.

We need schools that recognise when children are struggling and provide real support before they reach breaking point.

And we need systems that listen to parents, because we know when our children are in danger.

I am speaking out because what has happened to Reggie should never happen to another child. I am asking you to support this petition so that families like mine are not left fighting alone, and so that children in crisis receive the care, dignity, and protection they deserve.

I will continue fighting for my son, and for every child like him.

 

Please sign and support me.

Thank you.