Firstly I would like to say thank you for taking the time to read this petition and I would like to add a trigger warning, if you get triggered by the mention of self-harm, suicide, hospital or any other things I mention, please do not read this because I care about your well-being, thank you

I am a survivor. Since the age of 15, I have been wrestling with my own mental health. I struggled with self-harm, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, eating disorder, depression, body dysmorphia, ADHD and other mental conditions. My heart goes out to teens and adults who struggle with their mental health, I understand what you are going through and I urge you to sign this petition to improve the mental health system in Australia because we have already lost a lot of teens and adults to suicide due to the lack of services. Through dark patches and struggles, I've experienced firsthand the inadequacy of mental health services in Australia. At the age of 17, I ended up in the hospital due to an attempt and I was taken there by ambulance. After arriving at the hospital, they made me wait in the emergency department for hours. My attempt wasn't bad but it is still disappointing that I didn't get treated as they were "too busy to deal with me".  It is deeply disheartening to see teens and adults with mental illnesses being taken to hospitals only to be discharged a few hours later without receiving adequate care or support. Not to mention the community after care, which is also disappointing. There are no follow ups or plans made to insure the patient is safe and has support. There needs to be improvements to the system.

The current state of our mental health services in Australia are not just disappointing, it's disgraceful. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), one in five Australians aged 12-85 experience a mental illness each year but many do not receive the help they need.

Mental health is an issue that needs more attention; it should no longer be swept under the rug or treated as an afterthought. We must raise awareness about this issue because it isn't spoken about enough.

This petition aims at urging our government and healthcare providers to improve their approach towards mental health services across Australia. By signing this petition, you are helping us take one step closer towards better support for those who are struggling with their mental wellbeing.

Your voice matters and it's okay to not be okay <3 this world is better with you in it and remember that you are loved, you are worthy and you are important <3

Please sign and share this petition to help make changes to the mental health system in Australia <3