Mental health system in ‘crisis’ as youth referrals jump by 50 per cent in five years

Western Australia’s youth mental health system is in “crisis” and Perth teenager Emma* is just one of many suffering as a result, according to WA’s Chief Mental Health Advocate.

When 17-year-old Emma went to her GP on October 21 to get a referral to WA’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), she was told the next available appointment for just an initial assessment was December 29.

Less than a week later, Emma had seriously self-harmed and was taken to Rockingham Hospital’s emergency department, where she…