Perth teen charged with murdering mother

A teenager has been charged with the murder of his mother in Perth's southern suburbs.

Police allege the man, 19, stabbed Joan Hendry, 52, at a home in White Gum Valley on Monday night.

The man, who was himself seriously injured in the incident, is under police guard in Fremantle Hospital in a stable condition.

He will face a bedside hearing on a date to be set, after consultation with the Fremantle Magistrates Court.

The death has thrown a spotlight on after-hours emergency psychiatric services because it's understood Ms Hendry had earlier that night taken the man to Fremantle Hospital Mental Health Service - also known as the Alma Street Centre - but the facility closed at 8pm.

It is also believed they then went to Fremantle Hospital's emergency department but returned home after waiting more than two hours.

Police were called to the home just after 11.30pm.