Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm also rising in the Senate today to read out one of the Raise Our Voice in Parliament speeches. This speech is from Evelyn. She's 15 years old. She says:

My name is Evelyn, I am 15, and I live in the Groom electorate in Queensland. I am advocating for an issue that is surrounded with far too much stigma and ignorance; youth mental health.

In 10 years, I want all young people to have access to mental health services no matter where they are or who they are.

I want the Australian government to ensure that charities and organisations that strive to create a safe space for teens to be themselves and learn about mental health are well-funded and accessible.

By expanding and supporting these valuable assets we can make mental health care more accessible, especially for those in rural areas.

The well-being of young people is not just a personal concern but a societal imperative.

Fixing youth mental health is not a task for any individual or organisation— it requires a collective effort.

Our commitment to these efforts will not only support the current generation but also lay the groundwork for a healthier, more resilient future.

We must work together to invest in the mental health of our young people, for in doing so, we are investing in the future of our society.

Thank you, Evelyn, for your speech and for allowing me to read it in the Senate today. I'm always so impressed by the young people that I meet in rural and regional Queensland, and sharing your speech today about the importance of youth mental health has given me an opportunity to reflect on the things that our government can do to support young people in rural and regional Queensland. I look forward to working with you in the future.