When my friend was merely 12, they got admitted to Perth Children's Hospital, Ward 5A - the mental health unit for under 16 year olds in Perth - for an acute suicide attempt by overdose. I've witnessed countless stories about young people in crisis at PCH ED told by hospital staff that "schools just overreact sometimes," and many are not admitted even when they genuinely don’t feel like they can keep themselves safe. So the system isn't all so sunshines and rainbows anyway. However, I recently heard the news that PCH is planning to cut 4 out of the 20 mental health beds due to claims that they aren’t consistently filled. This decision seems more like an excuse rather than a solution to a much more deeply rooted problem.

Australia faces a growing crisis in children's mental health. The National Mental Health Commission reported that around one in seven young Australians experience a mental health condition, often requiring urgent care. In times of such an overwhelming demand, reducing bed capacities at PCH is not just unwise but potentially dangerous. These cuts could mean that the next child in desperate need might not find shelter and care when they most need it.

The mental health crisis continues to strain our healthcare systems, where access and availability of mental health services are critical. Reports have highlighted that emergency departments frequently become bottlenecked with mental health cases leading to overworked staff and rushed decisions. The temporary drop in usage should not justify permanent cuts, especially when statistics indicate that mental health needs are only increasing concerningly. 

We urge the administrators of Perth Children's Hospital and the relevant authorities to reconsider this decision. Instead of removing beds, more should be done to publicise and improve the availability of this mental health service to ensure families and schools understand how to access them better. There needs to be an improved protocol for recognising the seriousness of mental health concerns so that no child's cry for help is dismissed as an overreaction.

Every child deserves the right to a safe and secure environment where they can receive help during one of the most vulnerable periods of their life. By restoring these mental health beds and ensuring adequate resources and personnel, we can provide vital support for children in crisis and assist their families in securing the necessary treatment they deserve.

What I also find upsetting is that the government certainly has the capacity to fund all 20 beds yet aren't thinking this decision through.

Join us in urging Perth Children's Hospital to reverse its decision. Please sign this petition and help protect our children’s mental health care so that no child is left feeling alone and unsafe. The government is making a huge mistake that could - well no, will - cost lives.

If you are a young person who has had an experience with PCH or inpatient CAMHS, feel free to share your experiences in the form of a comment.

Also, it'd be highly appreciated if you could chip in something to promote this petition so more people can see it