A farmer who grew prize-winning corn was quizzed by a reporter who was surprised that he shared his seed with his neighbours. How, he wondered could he afford to share that seed with his neighbours when they too entered the competition?

“Didn’t you know? The farmer countered- The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbours grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbours grow good corn.”

As an allegory for a time, when 4.3 million children in the UK are living in poverty, this could not be more apt. With the election just days away, we face an uncomfortable truth. A UK parliament survey has revealed that 60% of young people believe politicians don’t care about them. Hardly surprising when the narrative has been all about national service and anti-social behaviour!

We live in a world where teenagers grapple with a sense of crisis before adulthood. In addition to economic pressures, concerns about climate change, extremist politics, unjust wars and social media have precipitated a worldwide crisis which in the UK sees one in five with a diagnosable mental health condition.

An incoming government must engage with young people and earn their trust by tackling these issues. Only then will they re-engage with mainstream politics which is essential to the long-term future of our democracy.

First though, the new government must show that they do care by investing in mental health support. The recent report published by @BACP and @Citizens UK demonstrated not only the moral but also the financial imperatives with £1.9 Billion of fiscal benefits accruing from an annual cost of £250 million.

Like the farmer, those who want to live meaningfully and well must help enrich the lives of others. The value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. Those who choose to be happy must help others find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.