Deanne and Graham Kirkman felt so let down by the mental health support available to their teenage daughter Mikayla in 2016, they started planning her funeral while she was still alive.
It was their third visit to the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) and Deanne Kirkman knew it would be the last.
Staff had told her there was nothing they could do to help Mikayla and sent her home, Ms Kirkman said.
"It was at that point that I left the hospital with absolutely no hope, knowing that I would never return there," she said.
"Instead of getting the help, I started planning for a funeral."
A couple of months later, at age 16, Mikayla took her own life.
Now, she lives on through photos and memories and a special garden in her parents' front yard.
As the state election looms, Mikayla's parents felt compelled to speak out, motivated to ensure no other family goes through the same experience they did.
The Kirkmans are desperate to see funding for youth mental health increase, leading to more beds and child psychiatrists.
According to a federal Department of Health website, suicide is the leading cause of death among young Australians with more than 350 people aged between 18 and 24 taking their own lives every year.
"If this many people were dying of cancer, they would be throwing the money at it," Ms Kirkman said.
'There's just no help available'
Another parent desperate for change is Melissa Kingston-Lee, whose 17-year-old Zayah has presented to the WCH more than 100 times over the last 18 months, with one visit in December 2021 ending so badly Zayah walked out of the hospital and was hit by a van in what Ms Kingston-Lee believes was a suicide attempt.
Unbeknownst to her, Zayah had been taken to the WCH by police in the middle of the night after they were found sitting on a bridge.
Ms Kingston-Lee said no-one from the hospital had let her know her teenager was there, and as a doctor was preparing to discharge Zayah, there was no security by the door, so Zayah was able to leave hospital unsupervised.
Ms Kingston-Lee said the 17-year-old was shortly after hit by a large van, causing injuries so serious the teenager has needed surgery three times.
"It's been hell," Ms Kingston-Lee said speaking of her experience trying to access help.
"I just want to be able to keep Zayah safe."
Since the incident, Ms Kingston-Lee has made an official complaint to the chief psychiatrist about her child's experience.
While it cannot comment on specific patients, the Women's and Children's Health Network said it takes all incidents very seriously and in line with its normal hospital protocols, a review would be undertaken if required.
"Children presenting to our Paediatric Emergency Department (PED) with mental health needs are seen by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) emergency mental healthcare team, as required," a spokeswoman said in a statement.
"All children requiring admission to the Mallee Ward, after being assessed by PED and mental healthcare staff will be admitted in consultation with a consultant psychiatrist."
The Kingston-Lee and Kirkman families are among those planning to attend a Parents for Change rally on Saturday calling on more paediatric mental health inpatient beds, more paediatric psychiatrists and better public and NGO community mental health support.
Increase in demand for youth mental health services
The Women's and Children's Health Network 2020-21 annual report found there has been "significant increases" in demand for mental health in both acute settings and community settings, with a 41 per cent increase in referrals to the paediatric emergency department and a 21 per cent increase in admissions to the hospital's 12-bed inpatient Mallee Ward.
The annual report also showed the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service had provided service on more than 100,000 occasions.
Ms Kingston-Lee said at least triple the number of crisis beds were needed, along with more funding for the sector.
Parents for Change co-founder Kate Stephens said she wanted to see youth mental health made a key election issue.
"I have had parents tell me that their suicidal child was told they are attention-seeking and was sent home with nothing," she said.
"We want mental health taken seriously."
As families continue to shine the spotlight on mental health, both parties are designing policies to address the issue.
Health Minister Stephen Wade said the government has flagged it would make more mental health commitments as the election campaign continues.
He said the government had already set aside $163.5 million in the 2021-22 state budget.
"Work is underway to increase child and adolescent psychiatrist positions, as well as more psychiatric trainee positions," he said.
"While there is much which remains to be done, we are the only party who is delivering on a real plan for mental health in South Australia."
Opposition Health spokesman Chris Picton said if elected to government, his party would make children's mental health a top priority.
"The WCH needs more staff to cut delays in services and treat more kids," he said.
"We will recruit 48 extra doctors, including 17 senior specialists, and 12 specialist nurses – which will include more mental health care.
Mr Picton has also promised to deliver 50 extra beds at the new WCH.
