When I was 9, I was a victim of bullying by my teacher. The school counsellor’s office was the only place I felt safe.

I could have become angry and resentful. I could have even been suicidal. Instead I had a blanket to hold around me and a way to find happiness in a bad situation.

In Australia, all children are required to attend primary schooling. Why not bring to them an opportunity to change their lives?

When my younger brother was 15 years old, another boy threatened to stab him for sitting in "his seat" on the bus. After the school was contacted, and the boy identified, it was discovered his mother suffered from terminal cancer. The institution had no idea this was occurring, and as such had not offered help.

He pulled out a 9 inch knife from his backpack to threaten my brother.

if he had a place to manage his anger, specifically a school psychologist, this may have never happenned.

I challenge you to think of any person in your life that could benefit from mental health professionals.

I challenge you to think of how their lives may have been if they had extra safety in their lives.

Why not give a child a safe place in their life?

"Good mental health is a sense of wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem. It enables us to fully enjoy and appreciate other people, day-to-day life and our environment."

This quote was taken from The Government of Western Australia's Mental Health Commission.

Let us give better mental health to a child, our young people, our future.

There simply isn't a downside to greater access to professional help. It only takes one conversation or a safe place to change a life, so why not start right now?

Another great opportunity this presents is creating thousands of jobs. Not only does the introduction of psychologists help young people, it can help stimulate our economy.

One stone dropped in a pond creates ripples that travel outward.

I want to enroll you in the possibility of a safe place for every child. Sign right now to be part of this change for our children.

Make my smile as a little girl your smile too.

Thank you for reading my petition, and thank you for making a safe place for a child.

From Melissa