AT 15 Sammie Buck appeared to be a happy and bubbly teenager.
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She took on a class clown role to make everyone smile. But four years later, now 19, the Timboon woman talks openly about how she masked her anxiety and mental health issues.
"To hide the fact that I was struggling I'd try and make people laugh... to hide the fact I was broken myself I'd try and make other people feel happy," she said.
Ms Buck said in 2017 she was struggling with her mental health and attempted to take her own life.
"I suffered with mental illness from a really young age, specifically from anxiety," she said. "My anxiety was really bad to the point I couldn't leave my bed, I was missing days of school.
"I was just in a really bad state but I hid that from my parents, I never reached out for any kind of help, I just let it be."
With health professionals concerned the COVID-19 pandemic could exacerbate the number of people needing support during stage three restrictions, Ms Buck said she wanted to encourage others to seek help.
She recently posted on Facebook excerpts of her diary from when she was in the Royal Children's Hospital with a plea for people to speak up.
"I was stuck in this position where I felt like I had no one there to help me but in reality there was so many people there to help," she said.
"I know there are a lot of people that feel really lonely and to not speak up about it can do a lot of damage.
"I was a really anxious person, I found it so awkward to look my mum in the eyes and tell her I didn't want to live anymore."
Ms Buck said there were different ways people could speak up, including calling, emailing or chatting online to people at Beyond Blue.
"There are a lot of ways you can reach out without having to see someone face to face," she said,
"As much as it is extremely awkward or makes them really anxious it's so worth it.
"Getting help can just make so much of a difference.
"With the support at the hospital, you realise how much you're worth and it's a relief that I'm alive. I have so much to live for and I'm worth so much more.
With the support at the hospital, you realise how much you're worth and it's a relief that I'm alive. I have so much to live for and I'm worth so much more.
- Sammie Buck
"I've been in the position where I haven't sought help and it had such a bad effect on me and my mental health. It's OK to ask for help."
Ms Buck is studying occupational therapy at university in Geelong and said she wanted to help children and young people.
"I feel like I'm doing a lot better now," she said.
"With the COVID-19 isolation it's a bit more of a struggle because I find that to be able to make myself feel good you have to have your distractions.
"You can't be stuck at home in your mind. I find the isolation of it a bit harder because you have to really distract yourself."
She encouraged people to check in on their friends and family in a genuine way.
"I feel like people see it as this person is upset but it's none of my business but all it takes is for you to say 'hey do you want someone to talk to', or leading them to someone that can help," she said.
"I don't think I had anyone say to me 'are you OK', probably the only person who said it was my mum.
"Either it will give someone a person to vent to or it will make them feel that someone cares enough to ask what's wrong.
"Anybody can seem happy but you have no idea what's going on behind closed doors."
In the five years between 2014 and 2018, there were 28 suicide deaths in Warrnambool.
Let's Talk Foundation's John Parkinson praised Ms Buck for bravely sharing her experience.
"That's what our mission is all about, to get people to aknowledge that they're not coping and step out from the darkness and reach out to people," he said.
"At the very least talking about it is so critical to begin the recovery journey."
He said said people who were worried about a friend or family member should talk to them with sincerity, care and in a non judgemental way. "So many of us are worried what's our response when you do get feedback that they're not travelling ok," he said.
"We have this insatiable appetite that we should be able to fix everything and it's not necessarily the case.
"It's just about listening, which is so powerful and validating, and getting the person to realise that they will get there. It's hard at this point in time but things will change."
Lifeline recorded a 25 per cent increase in calls from south-west residents when COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in March and Mr Parkinson said the re-introduction of stage three rules could mean an increased number of locals needing mental health support.
"Because of the circumstances for those people who are vulnerable it increases their vulnerablity," he said.
"I guess the unknown is really terrifying for a lot of us and when you have that increased vulnerability within your own make up the chances of experiencing symptoms are greater.
"Care is critical and one part of self-care is talking to other people and reaching out.
"This isn't forever.
"Life changes and we all have uncertain times in our life. We all have fear of what the future holds for us.
"One of the elements of resilience is being grateful for what you have even though it's hard to find sometimes.
"Just stop and actually think about how lucky we are to be in south-west Victoria and in communities that actually care about each other."
Lifeline Australia Chairman John Brogden is also urging people to speak to a crisis supporter following the re-introduction of stricter lockdown rules.
"My message to all Victorians is, you are not in this alone, Lifeline is here for you," he said.
"Please don't suffer in silence."
He said it was critical people understood they could access services like Lifeline whenever they needed to.
"We want people to know they can call Lifeline at any time of the day or night," he said.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews last Sunday announced $60 million of mental health funding for people struggling to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. The government said there had been a 9.5 per cent rise in the number of overall hospital admissions for self-harm in the past six weeks but the biggest spike was among young Victorians - a 33 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
- If you are in immediate danger call 000.
- If you or someone you know needs help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, text Lifeline on 0477 13 11 14 or chat online via the Lifeline website, lifeline.org.au
- To contact Beyond Blue phone 1300 22 4436 or chat online via the Beyond Blue website beyondblue.org.au
- You can also call the Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800 or visit their website, kidshelpline.com.au
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 www.mensline.org.au