Dear Malcolm Turnbull

Mental health education is still not part of the Australian curriculum despite the consistently high rates of child and adolescent mental health issues and suicide rates. I believe that By educating school students about mental health in schools, we will be able to increase awareness and therefore hope to encourage open discussions among younger and older people, which would make it less of a taboo subject.

Studies have found that approximately 1 in 10 children and young people aged 5 - 16 suffer from a diagnosable mental Health disorder and could be given the appropriate help of they were made aware of what could be done.

Men are also approximately 3 times more likely to commit suicide even though women have been found to have a statistically higher suicide attempt rate.

Recently studies have shown that there has been a significant increase in the number of young people being admitted to hospital because of self harm and suicide attempts. Over the last ten years this figure has increased by 68%.

More than half of all adults with mental health problems were diagnosed whilst in childhood. Less than half were treated appropriately at the time. By educating the younger population about mental health and suicide as well as the risk factors and common symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar and other common mental health disorder, many people could potentially be helped and make those suffering from mental health more comfortable with speaking up.