As a parent of a child living with ADHD, I am coming forward with a personal appeal. Mental health issues have been rapidly increasing among youths, even more alarmingly in recent years. Yet, our current educational system lacks any comprehensive curriculum to address or teach about this vital component of overall health.

The World Health Organization remarks that 10-20% of children across the globe deal with some mental health condition, emphasizing its fundamental importance. Unfortunately, many schools pay inadequate attention to mental health, leaving children uninformed and unequipped to deal with their own mental state. Children need to be instructed on mental health, understand its significance, and learn techniques to manage it safely and effectively.

It is not just about creating awareness; it is about moulding a society that understands, respects and prioritises mental health; a society that doesn't fall prey to stigmatization. Schools should prepare their pupils for all the challenges of life, and knowing one's mental state and dealing with it accordingly is certainly one of them.

In this fight, we call for a mandate to make the subject of mental health a core part of the school curriculum. With this, we aim to empower children, help them build resilience, and shift from stigmatizing mental health to understanding and fostering mental well-being.

All children deserve the chance to grow, learn, and mature in a safe environment that acknowledges their mental health just as it does their physical health. Our children are our future; let's give them the preparation they need to conquer it. Please, sign the petition and support our bid for compulsory mental health lessons in schools.