Ally Shorter writes mental health book inspired by her friendship with late Zara Lawand

An 18-year-old Gold Coaster has teamed up with a mentor to write a book to help year 12 students with mental health.

SITTING on Mermaid Beach, a 16-year-old Ally Shorter was wrapped in a blanket watching the sunrise with close friends as they mourned a member of their tight friendship group who had taken her own life.

The incident left Ally feeling angry, confused and guilty.

Angry her friend was gone, confused how it got to this stage and guilty that she should have done more to help her friend Zara Lawand

Ally Shorter and friend , who died from suicide two years ago.

Ally closed off to the world.

Mental health coach Luke Mathers’ daughter was one of the girls on the beach that morning and he reached out to Ally to help her deal with what she was going through.

Two years on and the pair have teamed up to write a book to teach others how to deal with being overwhelmed, stressed and anxious.

“What we want people to get from the book is choose the story you’re telling yourself,” Mr Mathers said.

“Sometimes people’s narratives about what is happening to them and their place in the world aren’t helpful.

“If you create a story about yourself, make it one that helps.”

The easy to read book RESET – Choose Your Story is written with two parable storylines centred on Amy and Zac.

Mermaid Beach resident Ally Shorter, 18, has paired up with stress expert and author Luke Mathers to write a book to help students deal with overwhelm, stress and anxiety - inspired by the suicide of her close friend two years ago. Picture Glenn Hampson

Amy is based on Ally and faces returning to grade 12 after losing her best friend, while Zac – based on young men Mr Mathers has helped – is a popular student, struggling with a lack of motivation, stress, loneliness and is turning to drugs.

Ally will be studying in Canada next year but used her gap year to write her first book.

The 19-year-old, who has been an avid writer from a young age, said Mr Mathers approached her to write a book about mental health for young people.

“This whole year we have been writing and developing characters,” she said.

“Writing this book was a cathartic experience. I never really opened up about feeling guilty and those emotions until writing the book.

“It was such a big surprise when the incident happened. It really highlighted that we need to prioritise our mental health and open up.

“It’s showed how important it is to talk to others about mental health and connect to people.

“We wanted to help other young people going through similar things and let them know tools to help with whatever they are going through.”

On the back of their first book release, the pair earned a publishing deal and are currently writing their next project.

They are offering the RESET – Choose Your Story for free online and welcome the chance to talk to Gold Coast schools about mental health.

More details at lukemathers.com.au