Brave Bellarine teen wants others to know they’re not alone

A Bellarine Peninsula teenager is calling for better access to mental health services after her own harrowing experience.

Bellarine Peninsula teenager Mackenzie is calling for better access to mental health services after her own harrowing experience. 

The 17-year-old has had mental health struggles since she was in primary school but said her issues became “really bad” during the pandemic.

She was diagnosed with anorexia and borderline personality disorder last year.

“I was in hospital multiple times over the past year as that’s the only place I felt I was going to receive the help I needed,” she said.

“I’d hate for anyone else to get to that stage.”

Mackenzie and pet dog Maple. Picture: Mark Wilson

After a suicide attempt Mackenzie’s family “really tried” to get her into a private psychologist last year but clinics had long wait times. 

Mackenzie, who did not with to have her surname published, said it felt like a “lost cause”.

“It was either going to take forever or not going to happen,” she said. “I felt like just giving up.”

She said her family was provided with a list of more than a dozen psychologists in the region, but the majority were not even accepting new patients on a waitlist due to the high demand, and that not all services met and suited her specific needs.

After a stint of waiting, the family finally found a service that would accept her, although she was still required to wait until a space became available with a clinician.

But she said because of how under-pressure the service was she could not always get appointments as frequently as required.

“Services can also be pretty expensive,” she said. 

Mackenzie said she was now treated at Jigsaw at Barwon Health after a referral from the emergency department.

Mackenzie and Maple. Picture: Mark Wilson

While Mackenzie said her mental health was “not 100 per cent” she now had the support she needed.

“There needs to be more services especially for younger people,” she said.

Mackenzie, who is on antidepressants, said there should also be supports for while they were on waitlists.

The aspiring nurse, who elected to finish her VCE ‘unscored’ this year due to her mental health, said she needed someone to look at to see it would be okay when she was struggling.

Getting help “really has” helped her feel better, she said. “I just want other young people to know they’re not alone.”

If you or a loved one needs help:

• headspace Geelong: 5222 6690

• eheadspace: 1800 650 890

• HeadtoHelp: 1800 595 212

• Barwon Health mental health, drugs and alcohol triage: 1300 094 187

• Bellarine Community Health: 5253 0400

• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

• Butterfly Foundation (eating disorder): 1800 33 4673

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• Visit a GP or hospital ED

• In an emergency, call triple-0 (000)

Originally published as Brave Bellarine teen wants others to know they’re not alone