Zoe, 15 NSW

It started in year 5 when i started to get teased and bashed nearly each day at school because i was "different". I didn’t know what they were talking about at all. After one year i started to go what you call "emo". I went into deep depression and the teasing got worse.

In year 7 i got into a lot of fights from standing up for myself. In year 8 i started to seek help and got sent to headspace. I told them things, but not the truth and I did not tell them i was actually hurting myself to relief stress and to make me feel better.

I soon got put in a mental health clinic and once i came out i was happy, but then I went back to school and became depressed again.

I still am depressed, but i don’t cut myself anymore now that i go to a new school and tell people what EXACTLY is on my mind.

My best friend, Crystal, was the only one i could talk to about things and i thank her for being by my side and not leaving. I want all young people and old people to tell people exactly how they feel and don’t bottle things up because it gets worse and then you explode and take it out on someone or even on yourself.