MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, this week welcomed a pupil from Taylor High School to Parliament to hear a speech she’d written.
Mr Simpson was delighted to be joined by Higher Politics student Eleyza Mohammed, from the Motherwell school, who had written his speech on mental health stigma’s in the workplace.
The Lanarkshire MSP, who’d posed a similar challenge to politics students at Our Lady’s High a few years ago, was delighted to learn that there was an appetite amongst students to do this again following a recent visit to the school.
On this occasion Eleyza, who studies at Taylor High but joins Our Lady’s Higher Politics class virtually, volunteered to write the speech on her own.
The speech touched on a number of important issues within the debate including See Me Scotland’s ‘See Me in Work’ campaign and the need for a mental health strategy which addresses societal stigmas.
Following the debate, Eleyza got the opportunity to meet other MSPs who had taken part in the debate, including the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart.
Members from across the chamber were united in admiration for Eleyza and took the opportunity to wish her well for the future.
Central Scotland MSP, Graham Simpson said: “I was delighted to welcome Eleyza to Parliament this week so she could see first-hand her speech being delivered to the chamber.
“She did an amazing job researching and constructing this and her passion for the topic and politics in general really shone through when we met”.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to the Higher Politics class at Our Lady’s High who I’m always delighted to visit and discuss some tricky subjects with.
“I hope Eleyza’s speech will inspire more pupils to engage with their MSPs and I look forward to running a similar scheme to this in the new year”.
Elyeza Mohammed, student from Taylor High School said: “Visiting Parliament and meeting Graham was an intriguing experience, which has taught me to use my voice for the good and I will continue to do right by the people.
“I hope my speech reached the right audience. Everyone should be able to speak freely about their problems and something should be done to help them.
“I would like the thank everyone who helped me to gain this opportunity”.
