It is my pleasure, as part of the Raise Our Voice campaign, to be able to read the work of a bright young member of the north to parliament. Marco, aged 15, has written this:

When we think about childhood, we imagine happiness, friendship, and fun. But for many children, that isn't reality.

Too many kids are ridiculed—not only by bullies, but by people who don't understand what they're going through. Children deserve to enjoy their lives, not carry the weight of stress, fear, or trauma.

Bullying, cyberbullying, domestic violence, and generational trauma all play a part, and the damage is often ignored.

Here's a fact that should shock us all: according to the American Psychological Association, children today report higher stress levels than patients in psychiatric hospitals did in the 1980s.

That should be a wake-up call. Children shouldn't be living under that kind of pressure.

This issue is personal to me. I've been bullied, teased, and made to feel like my voice didn't matter. I reached out for help, but it didn't always make the pain disappear. No child should ever feel so hopeless that they believe there's no way forward.

I'm speaking today not just for myself, but for every child silently struggling. This is a preventable problem, and it's not too late for us to listen, care, and create real change. Let that message stay with you

Marco's message is something that we as parliamentarians have a responsibility to act on, because no child should have to suffer in silence, and no parent should feel helpless when their child is struggling. In my community of Adelaide's northern suburbs, we know just how important access to mental health support is. For too long, families in the north have faced barriers to getting the help they need, whether that's the cost of treatment, long waiting lists or finding services close to home.

That's why the Albanese government is investing in mental health services that make a real difference in our community. One example is the new Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub, which opened in Elizabeth in September. I'm proud to have the minister in the room today, who was at the event that we proudly got to open together. The facility provides free mental health and wellbeing support for children aged zero to 12, helping young people experiencing emotional, behavioural and developmental challenges. Importantly, it also supports parents, carers and families, recognising that, when a child is struggling, the whole family can be affected. With no diagnosis or referral required, we're removing barriers that have prevented families from seeking support, because early interventions matter and getting children the right support early can change the course of their lives.

Our commitment to better health care doesn't stop with children. The Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre is also providing free mental health support for people aged 16 and over, without the need for an appointment or referral. This means anyone experiencing mental health challenges can access professional support when they need it most without the added stress of navigating complicated referral processes or worrying about the costs. For families across Adelaide's north, it means having access to dedicated mental health services close to home, ensuring no-one must face their struggles alone because of how far their suburb is from Adelaide's CBD.

Through the Elizabeth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, we're making it easier for families to access urgent medical treatment, without the financial burden of out-of-pocket consultation fees, for Medicare eligible services. Open seven days a week, the clinic provides treatment for urgent, non-life threatening conditions, taking pressure off our hospital emergency departments. While urgent care clinics aren't a substitute for dedicated mental health services, they form part of Labor's broader commitment to ensuring health care is accessible and affordable, because whether it's a child struggling with anxiety, a parent worried about their family or an adult experiencing mental health challenges, everyone deserves access to quality care.

I want to finish by thanking Marco for bringing this important issue before the parliament and for having the courage to share his own experiences. By speaking up, Marco is helping to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and reminding young Australians that their voice matters, their experiences are valid and they are never alone. It's voices like Marco's that remind us why we must continue working towards a future where every child feels safe, supported and heard, and it couldn't have come at a better time given it's mental health month. So thank you so much Marco for your eloquent words, and all the best in your future endeavours.