As the UK gears up for the upcoming election, a trio of first-time voters from Bristol is putting the spotlight on mental health provision, calling for urgent attention from the government.
Jess, Zach, and Abdirisaq, all 18 years old, are set to cast their votes for the first time on July 4th. As part of the BBC’s Your Voice Your Vote campaign, they emphasized the need for policies aimed at preventing young people from being ensnared by gangs and crime, and they expressed a desire for concrete proposals from politicians rather than vague assurances.
Sitting on benches outside their college, John Cabot Academy in Bristol’s Kingswood area, the students highlighted mental health as a critical issue for them.
Jess emphasized the widespread impact of mental health issues, stating, “One in four people struggle with mental health, so it’s such a relevant topic to everyone.” She stressed the need for increased coverage of mental health services, citing lengthy waiting lists for counseling and therapy as evidence of underfunding in the NHS.
Echoing Jess’s sentiments, Zach emphasized the link between mental health and future outcomes, noting that unresolved issues can lead to social challenges and potentially contribute to phenomena like knife crime.
Abdirisaq underscored the importance of addressing mental health as a means of preventing crime, advocating for increased funding in schools to support vulnerable students and divert them from potential criminal environments.
In terms of political engagement, Jess emphasized the significance of young people’s involvement in shaping the country’s future, urging her peers to make their voices heard. Abdirisaq echoed this sentiment, lamenting the lower voter turnout among young people compared to older demographics, which often results in policies that overlook the needs of younger generations.
As first-time voters, Jess, Zach, and Abdirisaq are determined to make a difference by advocating for issues that matter to them, particularly mental health, in the upcoming election.
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