A group of first-time voters from Bristol are urging the government to prioritize mental health provision in the forthcoming election. Jess, Zach, and Abdirisaq, all 18, will cast their votes for the first time on July 4.
As part of the BBC’s “Your Voice Your Vote” campaign, they emphasized the need for policies that prevent young people from joining gangs and engaging in criminal activities. They called for concrete proposals from politicians rather than vague promises.
Mental health emerged as a central concern for these students from John Cabot Academy in the Kingswood area of Bristol. Jess highlighted the widespread nature of the issue, stating, “One in four people struggle with mental health, so it’s a relevant topic for everyone. It significantly impacts young people, making it crucial for more coverage and support.”
She pointed out the insufficiency of NHS funding for mental health services, noting the extensive waiting lists for counseling and therapy. Jess expressed a desire for specific commitments from politicians to help young voters understand their choices.
Zach echoed these sentiments, pointing out the broader implications of inadequate mental health support. “There’s been a lack of support, leading to negative outcomes in people’s lives, which can culminate in future problems,” he said. He linked poor mental health to social issues such as knife crime.
Abdirisaq noted the often-overlooked importance of mental health in the context of crime prevention. “It’s not seen as an important issue, even though it can be linked to crime. With crime being a significant issue recently, there’s much we could do for prevention—prevention is better than cure,” he said. He advocated for the presence of counselors in schools to identify and support students vulnerable to mental health issues and criminal influences.
He called for politicians to develop convincing policies to increase school funding, offering young people alternatives to gang involvement and violence.
On political engagement, Jess stressed the importance of youth participation. “It’s the future of our country and our lives—what’s more important than that? If we made our voices heard, we could effect positive change for many people,” she said. Despite some of her friends being under 18 and unable to vote, they remain eager to engage.
Abdirisaq highlighted the disparity in voter turnout between younger and older age groups. “Young people vote much less than older people, leading politicians to focus on policies for older demographics. As a result, young people are overlooked in policy discussions,” he explained. “We lose out in the end because we’re not making our voices heard.”
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