We call on Australian education ministers and curriculum authorities to make evidence-based, age-appropriate mental health education compulsory in every Australian school, from primary through secondary school.

Every Australian student learns mathematics, English, and science because these subjects prepare us for life. Mental health education deserves the same priority. Understanding and caring for our mental wellbeing is one of the most important life skills we can develop, yet it is still not taught consistently in every classroom.

Young people are growing up in a world shaped by academic pressure, social media, cyberbullying, uncertainty, and constant change. Many students experience stress, anxiety, loneliness, grief, or other emotional challenges before they finish high school. While schools provide valuable support services, too many students face these challenges without first learning how to recognise their emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, or know where to seek help.

Mental health education should not begin only when a student is already struggling. It should be a normal part of learning, just like physical health, nutrition, and personal safety. Teaching these skills early helps students build resilience, reduce stigma, strengthen relationships, and develop lifelong habits that support their wellbeing.

A compulsory mental health curriculum should include:

• Understanding emotions and emotional regulation.
• Recognising common mental health challenges and reducing stigma.
• Building resilience and healthy coping strategies.
• Stress management and help-seeking skills.
• Developing empathy, respectful relationships, and peer support.
• Knowing when and how to access professional support.

My own experience has shown me the importance of having healthy ways to understand and express emotions. Through my platform, @sunshinez_poetry on Instagram, I create poetry and art focused on exploring human emotions. Each week, I choose a different emotion and share original poems, a psychological exploration of that emotion, a personal reflection, and artwork representing it. Through this project, I hope to encourage others to recognise, understand, and express their emotions in positive ways.

Creative expression can be a powerful tool for emotional awareness, but every young person deserves access to broader knowledge and support through their education. Mental health education can help students understand their emotions, communicate their experiences, support others, and seek professional help when needed.

This petition is not asking schools to replace psychologists or counsellors. It is calling for every student to receive the knowledge and practical life skills needed to understand and care for their mental wellbeing before challenges become overwhelming.

Mental health influences learning, relationships, physical health, and future opportunities. Equipping young people with these essential skills will strengthen individual students, create healthier school communities, and benefit Australian society for generations to come.

Every student deserves the opportunity to understand their mental health, build resilience, and know where to turn for support. By making mental health education compulsory in every Australian school, we can create a future where young people are prepared not only academically, but emotionally.

Sign this petition to help make mental health education a compulsory part of every Australian student's education.