I am a thirteen-year-old student who has faced life-altering mental health struggles. I have been forced to stop attending mainstream school. For two long years, mental health issues have gripped me, leading me to self-harm and substance abuse and, almost, to the complete destruction of my life and those around me. After surviving more than five suicide attempts, I am dedicated to raising awareness about this significant and often overlooked issue. Many like me act out in school, face frequent disciplinary actions, distance themselves from peers, and are internally tormented and just viewed as crazy. Yet, the cries for help are often ignored or misunderstood until a life is lost.

Mental health is not recognised enough, especially for adolescents. Many children and teens show signs of mental distress through behavioural problems, substance abuse, and self-harm. Unfortunately, it often goes unnoticed until grave outcomes, such as suicide, happen. The need for mental health awareness and understanding extends to the people often interacting with us - our teachers, school counsellors, caseworkers, and even police officers.

We demand comprehensive education on adolescent mental health, its causes, and signs for these individuals. According to the World Health Organization, half of all mental health conditions start by 10 years of age but most cases are undetected and untreated. In the United States alone, it's estimated that 17.1 million children have or have had a psychiatric disorder (Child Mind Institute). It's clear that our society needs better detection and treatment processes in place.

By signing this petition, you are not only advocating for better resources for struggling children but also standing up against the stigma of mental health. Please sign this petition to demand comprehensive mental health education, so that suffering of young individuals like myself can be addressed, not when it's too late, but when help is most needed.

 

LLAW mentalhealth noticethesigns suicide