Feb 27 • 05:17 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia ABC News AU

Mother rejects sympathy from health minister after teen daughter's death

A mother in Perth blames systemic failures in mental health care for the suicide of her daughter shortly after being released from hospital, rejecting condolences from the health minister.

A Perth mother, Stacey Hildebrandt, has publicly criticized the Western Australia Health Minister for offering her condolences after the tragic suicide of her 18-year-old daughter, Hailee. Hildebrandt believes that systemic failures within the mental health services were responsible for the inadequacies in her daughter's care, which ultimately led to her death shortly after being discharged from a mental health ward. The incident has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness and responsiveness of mental health services in the region, as it highlights the risks involved when individuals, particularly those battling severe mental health issues, are released without adequate support.

In 2025, Hailee had faced ongoing struggles with her mental health, necessitating multiple admissions to a mental health facility. Despite this history, Hildebrandt argues that the system failed to provide the necessary ongoing care and resources that could have prevented this heartbreaking outcome. As her daughter's case gains media attention, it underscores the urgent need for systemic reform within mental health care to ensure that such tragedies do not recur, sparking broader discussions about mental health policies in Australia.

In response to the incident, the hospital district has initiated a clinical review to reassess their policies and procedures surrounding mental health admissions and discharges. Furthermore, the state coroner is conducting an investigation into the circumstances leading up to Hailee's death to better understand the factors at play and to enhance accountability within the mental health system. The community and advocacy groups are now calling for more robust mental health programs and support systems to be put in place, aiming to prevent future incidents of this nature.

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