Mental health on high school agenda

Mental health education in regional schools has taken great leaps since 23-year-old Jade Weary was a high school student.

A talented sportswoman and high achiever, her mental health was never a topic mentors felt needed to be addressed.

It’s part of what she feels contributed to her own journey through depression, something the Mandurah local spent last week discussing with Geraldton Grammar School students.

Volunteering as a Black Dog Institute youth presenter, Ms Weary was invited to speak at a number of regional schools with the aim of helping youth to deal with mental health issues.

Ms Weary feels it’s a step in the right direction for educators of young students.

“The way schools are dealing with mental health issues now is such a different experience to the one I had in school,” she said.

“I was definitely a high achiever, and with that, I had very high expectations placed on me, which certainly added to the weight of a depression I didn’t know I had at the time.

“It’s an illness I didn’t know I had because mental health was not something openly discussed; I just thought the way I was feeling was normal.

“The schools tackling it openly are really the way of the future. It’s great to see them getting involved so mental illness is able to become something normal.

“A percentage of the students I’m trying to reach have the same issue; those who think the way they’re feeling and the thoughts they’re having is a normal part of life — it’s not.”

Ms Weary said her message was reinforced after a GGS student approached her after the presentation.

“A student came up to me afterwards and thanked me for telling my story because they honestly didn’t know others were feeling that way too. That’s when the message really hits home,” she said.

Sharing her story is about more than just open discussion; it’s also a way to show depression sufferers students there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Ms Weary’s battle became severe once she began university, when she started the cycle of seeking mental health treatment.

After many doctor appointments, psychologist visits and discussions, Ms Weary eventually found a treatment that was able to bring her to a better frame of mind.

Now at the end of a long road, she hopes to help other youths navigate a tough path.

“For those who know there’s something not quite right, it’s being able to put your hand up and say you need help, which is the toughest part,” she said.

“Mental illness doesn’t define you, but it is something you need help to overcome.

“Kids, especially in regional areas, are less likely to put their hand up, so I feel like having been through it all, I want to be able to help them find the resources and be able to ask for help.

“It’s also a way to show them that if I got through it, then they can too.”

GGS students were also given online and local resources for advice on seeking help for mental illness.

Several of the students commented after the presentation they now felt comfortable dealing with the issue.

“I feel like if she had come in with just statistics, it wouldn’t have had the same effect, but because she shared her own story, it really broadened our knowledge of what mental illness is actually like,” Sam Solomon, 17, said.

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.