Hannah Tessmann-Keys speaks on overcoming mental health issues with self image, depression and anxiety

A Coast teenager has opened up on her battle with self image, anxiety and depression as the Daily teams up with Wishlist to shed light on youth mental health in the Five Reasons Why series.

For years Hannah Tessmann-Keys struggled with her body image, finding flaws and “hating herself” for them as she slipped further into a hole of anxiety and depression.

The 19-year-old EndED volunteer has opened up about her experiences as experts reveal the growing mental health plight of youth in the region.

Tessman-Keys said her issues with self image started when she was just 12, and had been dieting and fasting ever since.

“It was (body) shaming, like if you're not skinny enough or feeling like you're just super overweight or too big or too skinny,” she said.

“You can pick at yourself when you look at a mirror and just seeing flaws and hating yourself for it.”

Pressures with school, social media and unrealistic expectations placed on women and their image not only sparked but fuelled the issue.

“Just the culture in school (made it worse) and I wasn't the skinniest girl or that sort of thing,” she said.

“And that was what everyone wanted to be and then the whole social media thing coming in (didn’t help).”

Her battle with self image soon took an even darker path.

“I had depression and anxiety and was on depression and anxiety medication for a few years and that (self image) all tied into it,” she said.

“Just the anxiety of how you look and feel about yourself.”

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Psychiatrist Dr Rachel Taylor said depression, anxiety and youth mental health in general was a growing concern with about 200 referrals a month.

She said sometimes traditional targeted therapy didn’t work for young people, but there had been positive research coming out about the impact of other therapeutic practices, like yoga, meditation, and musical therapy.

She urged teens and their parents to seek support for mental health as early as possible.

“It’s such an isolating situation for a young person dealing with those symptoms, so finding ways to make it safe to speak about what is going on can help,” she said.

“It might be through the school guidance counsellor or a GP.

“If you are a parent, don’t avoid the problem, try and sit down with your young person and try and communicate.”

Teenage mental health issues gained international attention through the successful TV series 13 Reasons Why.

The Sunshine Coast Daily has teamed up with Wishlist to run a five-part series, called Five Reasons Why, to show how close the issue is to home and the importance of donating money.

Wishlist aims to raise $2 million to house and service patients at its new Wishlist Centre - with mental health issues being a major concern among its young clients.

All profits from the sales of the first weekly Sunshine Coast Daily print edition on August 27 will also go to Wishlist for Wishlist Centre.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing depression or anxiety or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. Support is also available through Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.