A group of year 11 and 12 students from Overnewton Anglican Community College are hoping to raise awareness of youth mental health and create a safe space for young people to seek help when they present a bill to Youth Parliament later this month.
The students will present the Compulsory Counselling Sessions Bill 2022 to the Youth Parliament’s Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, June 28.
Year 11 student and Youth Parliament deputy premier Gabrielle said she hopes the bill will put pressure on the state government to address the mental health crisis and help raise awareness to the importance of mental wellbeing in the wider community.
“The program has given me a platform to develop and express my views on mental health and how the government operates in and around mental health,” she said.
“My own experience with mental illness and receiving various mental health services gives me a deeper insight into the issue and allows me to make a change.”
Jade, also in year 11, said the group believed the young people suffering mental ill-health should not be silenced or ignored.
She said introducing counselling sessions in schools would help start conversations around mental health.
Fellow year 11 student Maneesha said the Youth Parliament program had been inspiring.
” This has further invigorated my passion to continue to be involved in my community and make a change, as through Youth Parliament I have seen the difference that can be made through the passion and unification of young people.”
