A 17-year-old local has taken it upon himself to provide an online space for teenagers and their parents to talk about depression and suicide.
Regan Mitchell started the Teens Helping Teens Facebook page earlier this week with the aim of connecting with others with mental health issues, following a recent spate of reported self-harm incidents in the region.
Within a matter of days, it has gained almost 300 members.
Regan, who has experienced depression, bullying and anxiety throughout his life, as well as the loss of friends from suicide, said he was sick of seeing people take tragic steps when they see no other way out.
“I’ve been there, I’ve had issues since I was a kid, and I’ve been through all the ups and downs,” he said.
“I want to reach out to people because I know what it’s like. I want them to know that there is someone they can talk to, something they can do to start getting out of it.”
Regan is currently training as an apprentice, but hopes to attend TAFE later this year to study youth social work.
Simply put, he just wants to help as many people as he possibly can.
“I just want the world to be a better, happier place,” he said.
“The page is there so anyone who wants to talk, they can talk to me about whatever they want. Like I said I’ve been there, so I know how hard it is to do that, but I just wanted to make a place where people in the community could maybe find it a bit easier to talk.”
Regan said the hardest step for someone suffering from depression to take is to open up and talk about it, and Teens Helping Teens would serve as a platform for showing how important talking and connecting is.
“I still go to Headspace sometimes, and I went to Billy Dower when I was younger: there’s all these places people can go to get help, but so many people don’t know about them,” he said.
“I’ve got all this information that I want to share. I’ve got grieving forms, I’ve got mental health care forms, all these things that can help. They just need to know they’re there.”
Regan hopes this is the first step in a career that will let him help as many people as possible deal with their issues, and escape the isolation that depression can force upon them.
“I’ve already helped a few people, and it’s for my own benefit as well, I really get something out of it.” he said.
“I just want to keep doing it, I want to keep helping. It’s my dream.”
To find Regan’s page, search for “Teens Helping Teens” on Facebook.
Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by calling Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; Lifeline 131 114; beyondblue 1300 22 46 36.