She says current mental health services in regional Australia are unacceptable, and she won’t let it slide by without a fight.
Paige has been selected from hundreds of applicants to participate in the YMCA’s NSW Youth Parliament program.
Youth Parliament gives young people a chance to write and present laws in a parliamentary environment which, if successful, may be considered by government.
Six bills created by Youth Parliaments in the past have been integrated into actual NSW law since its origins in 2002.
The Youth Parliament has 10 committees which focus on a range of issues, and will meet from July 3 to 10.
As part of the Justice Committee for Youth Parliament, Paige hopes to help create legislation and regulations that will change mental health services in regional NSW for good.
‘‘I’ve seen that people have been affected by (their) mental health,’’ she said.
‘‘Obviously the opportunity presented itself and I jumped right in. I thought I might as well, even if I don’t get in.
‘‘Mental health is my main reason for applying.
‘‘I was put on the justice committee, which won’t stop me focusing on mental health.
‘‘I’m going to focus on mental health and police involvement with it, and trying to get rid of the criminal stigma on mental health.
‘‘I’ve been reading a lot of articles where even police are trying to help. It never really works out well, which leads to arrest, which leads to a criminal history, which is completely unfair for people who are suffering from mental illnesses.
‘‘I really want to help focus on that.’’
Paige says her experience as a regional Australian gives her valuable insight into the issue that people from the city just don’t have.
‘‘The other members of the justice committee are all city people and while they’re supportive, they’ve already got services available that we in rural areas don’t, and that’s completely unfair,’’ Paige said.
‘‘This is even though we have the higher statistics (of poor mental health).
‘‘I personally know that around here, if a person is suicidal and unwilling to seek help you have to call the police. There’s no other way around it.’’
Paige and the other committee members have been meeting virtually leading up to the July program, discussing their potential bills.
‘‘We will present three different ideas for bills, which then goes through a selection process to see which one is more successful,’’ she said.
‘‘We will then work as a committee to draft a broad bill, and then we will go and present it at Youth Parliament.
‘‘Even if my bill doesn’t get passed, or it doesn’t get chosen, it will still feel amazing to have an opportunity to have an impact.
‘‘Who knows, later on that could be used as evidence, or as precedent as why we need improved services in regional Australia.’’
Youth Parliament may be just the beginning of Paige’s political advocacy.
The Year 12 student plans to study law and psychology at university and refuses to rule out a political career in the future.
■ Anyone requiring crisis support can contact NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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