Zoe McKenzie (Flinders, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to present one of the remarkable speeches I received through the Youth Voice in Parliament program last year, from young Faelan in the Flinders electorate. I read it today because it's more prescient than ever, given the impact of last week's budget on mental health services.

'My name is Faelan. I'm 15 years old and I live in the Flinders electorate. Right now there are many young Australians just like me who are trying to navigate a broken mental health system—a system that has failed many of us. We are told to reach out and, when we do, we are told to wait. Too many of us have been told 'there is nothing we can do for you' when we are in crisis. This causes us to go to extremes to be heard, which we should never have to do, let alone consider. If we do survive and if we do receive support, being in this system can create lifelong trauma and a loss of hope when hope is most vital.

Listen to us. Listen to young voices. Listen to those who are suffering. We need a system that treats us holistically and with compassion—a system that doesn't just help after we have already gone through extreme trauma and tragedy, only to create more. Together, the government, young people and mental healthcare professionals can work together to improve and guide mental health in accomplishing an inclusive system.'

Well said, Faelan.