Parliament Prize 2024: What were young people saying about health

This year more than 150 young people spoke about health, mental health and wellbeing as they answered the question 'What would they say to parliament if they were an MP?' We've compiled a summary of what they spoke about, representing the most popular health themes and issues highlighted by participants in this year's competition. They provide an interesting insight into the issues young people are thinking about and, more importantly, talking about.

Health, mental health and wellbeing

• Prevalence of mental health issues and its impact
• Support in schools, including Increasing the availability of professionals, implementing a mental health curriculum and establishing mental health days.
• Bullying (including both physical and cyberbullying) and its impact, including the development of anti-bullying programs, support for victims and perpetrators, and early intervention.
• Access to mental health services, including ease of access, affordability, addressing long wait times, funding in under-serviced areas, and the integration of mental health services into various community settings.

Healthcare accessibility and quality

• Rural healthcare, including increasing access for rural areas.
• Healthcare and mental healthcare costs, including subsidising healthcare services and specific financial assistance.
• Inclusive and accessible healthcare for marginalised groups, including services for people with disabilities.
• Training for healthcare providers, including providing healthcare for people with conditions such as ADHD, autism, and visual impairments.      

Youth health and wellbeing        

• Vaping and smoking awareness campaigns, including highlighting the harmful effects of vaping and smoking especially on young people and the need for better/stricter regulations and restrictions.
• Healthy eating, including addressing childhood obesity, improving poor dietary habits, promoting physical activity and programs to support healthy food choices.

  

Public health initiatives      

• Substance abuse and addiction, including public awareness campaigns to address substance abuse and gambling, and age restrictions for energy drink consumption.

Wellbeing programs and community support

• Community and school-based programs, including the need for more wellbeing programs, intergenerational programs and creating clean and positive environments.
• Suicide prevention and crisis support, including the importance of suicide prevention, increasing support services and reducing any stigmas around mental health.

Social issues and health

• Domestic violence, including the link between domestic violence and mental health, the need for stronger prevention and education programs.
• Body image and self-esteem, including the influence of social media, the need to promote body positivity and addressing unrealistic beauty standards.

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