Ella, age 17, says students should feel able to speak out on important issues

What issue do you most care about?

Empowering young people to speak out by increasing education around issues affecting us such as sexual abuse and bullying and improving the services available for young people.

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Why is this important to you, and possibly to other young people?

As someone who has used the services available for young people, I know that there is a desperate need for improvement. I have also heard from others about their experiences. This has shown me that the waiting times, particularly for mental health services, must be improved.

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What changes would you like to see?

There must be better education around sexual abuse, bullying, and mental health for young people. The school curriculum should teach children how to ask for help, whether this is through removing the stigma or teaching public speaking lessons to increase their confidence when speaking to others. The waiting times for mental health services should be reduced and all children should be aware of the services available for them.

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How can young people be a part of bringing about these changes?

Our voices need to be heard. We need to have spaces to share our experience and our ideas for solutions. What we say should not be discarded. The process of improving the school curriculum and services for young people must be a collaborative process where we are listened to and respected.

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