Page 18 - Tropic Magazine Issue 27

TROPIC • OPINION

Gen Z angle
Tropic hears two local teens’
thoughts on mental health,
politics, the climate and
treating people with kindness.

Mind matters

Words: Isabella Kidston So, treat people with kindness. the economy, but we don’t have
Whether your mind jumped straight the representation we need to see
CW: suicide, self-harm to that Harry Styles song or not, being legislative responses.
I remember hearing of one of my close kind is vital to making it through today’s Politics – it’s a wild world. Especially in
friends’ attempts. My heart dropped to my relentless world. 2020. Everyone has opinions, which is
stomach and my brain blurred. Be kind not only to your friends and why we have a democracy, but young
I remember feeling so thankful the family, but also your workmates, people can’t vote so we’ve had to resort to
attempt was unsuccessful, and realising I strangers, and even online influencers making noise.
could no longer sit and watch the suicide because – despite the face they put on – Around the globe young people have
death toll rise. Mental health disorders are they’re only human too. found a collective voice through protests
a real and crushing issue, and we need to There’s no shame in seeking support and social media, standing up for the
talk about it. from a professional, or someone you’re future with movements such as
I like to think of that memory as a comfortable talking to. Black Lives Matter and school strikes
reminder of the good in the world, rather If you need help you can head to the for climate.
than the bad. No matter what, things can, Cairns Mental Health and ATOD Service, Tens of thousands of youths are enraged
and do, get better. Headspace or Cairns Hospital. over social justice issues and poor
We must connect with those around us to political processes. We’re passionate,
tell them we care whenever we can; you full of fervour and fuelled by
never know when you could be saving a one thing – desperation.
life. And if you’re suffering, there’s always It’s our future at stake. Every political
someone who wants to listen. catfight, blind eye and empty promise
Living with a mental health disorder will cost young people, and we know it.
doesn’t make you an outsider or change Greta Thunberg spoke emotionally over
who you are – it’s more common than the inaction of governments at the UN’s
you think and everyone has different Climate Action Summit in 2019. It was
coping strategies. effective, true and something the world
Whether your survival story is still being People power had never seen.
written, or has been illustrated and “You have stolen my dreams and my
published, all stories are worth telling. Words: Eve Maskell childhood with your empty words … how
You are worthy, loved, and mean so much dare you,” she thundered. In those words,
to the people around you. I got the chance to meet Prime Minister Greta expressed the raw frustration and
You may not ace every subject or win Scott Morrison in October. We bumped anger felt by many her age.
MVP every sporting season. That doesn’t elbows, as per COVID-19 protocol, took a The message is clear. We need
mean you aren’t special. It’s an important selfie and then he was off. representatives to start fighting for
message to ourselves and those around us Later, I was gearing up to ask him a our lives, because governments have
since, in this chaotic world we’re living in, question on behalf of young Australians discovered that the future can pay tax,
the good can easily be forgotten. about climate change and the 2020 and boy are they capitalising on it.
Suicide is the leading cause of death Budget. Unfortunately, amid the Everyone can make a difference by simply
of people aged five to 17. More than a excitement and commotion of the press signing a petition, making a considered
quarter of Australian adults have had an conference, I never got the chance. vote or joining a local protest.
anxiety disorder at some point – that’s I was frustrated, because I missed my As for ScoMo, on the off chance you’re
approximately five million people. opportunity to show the PM that the reading this, we know you can hear us.
You likely know someone living these youth of Australia really care. We care A new generation of voters is emerging,
struggles, if you aren’t yourself. about global warming, racial injustice and and we want change.

18 • Tropic • Issue 27