Ben is a 21-year-old man from inner west Sydney who works as a bartender and enjoys catching up with his mates, playing AFL footy at his local club as well as jujitsu. This is Ben’s story of finding the right support that worked for him.

I initially reached out for support at a pretty young age. I was around thirteen years old and struggling to pay attention in school and was told to speak to someone. I was referred to a psychologist and that’s when I found out that I was suffering from anxiety.

Opening up to a stranger about what I had been dealing with at such a young age was terrifying. Unfortunately, I continued to struggle with anxiety throughout high school and decided not to talk about it or share it with my friends.

At seventeen, I went on a trip to the coast with two of my best mates. Expecting nothing more than some fun and late-night chats about girls, the trip turned into something much more significant for me.

One night, after watching a horror movie, one of my mates asked me about my past relationship and for the first time, I decided to open up about my struggle with anxiety.

Sharing my feelings and experiences with my friends wasn’t easy, but I found it incredibly freeing. Their support and understanding gave me the push I needed to seek professional help again. This decision marked the start of a new chapter in my life, one where I was ready to actively manage my mental health.

My mates had a great ability to just sit, listen, and ask questions. Instead of trying to provide advice, they gave me space to feel heard and understood. They also continued to support me by making regular plans, so I always had something to look forward to and held me accountable when I slacked off. I felt like I could really trust them.

The beach house trips became a regular occurrence, and these experiences brought us even closer. My friends became a vital part of my support network, teaching me that I didn’t have to face my struggles alone.

Reaching out for professional support for the second time still had its challenges. I was nervous to share my personal story with someone I didn’t know, but I knew it would be beneficial. Taking a leap of faith, professional support helped me understand what I was going through and gave me the confidence and reassurance that I had the skills to face my struggles head-on. Opening up about my mental health made me feel as though I was no longer weighed down by its burden. Talking allowed me to move forward with my life.

I now see my psychologist when needed and find comfort in knowing that if my friends or family aren’t available, I always have someone I can rely on for support. Professional support provides me with a deeper, unbiased perspective of what I am going through and offers practical tips and strategies that friends and family can’t always provide.

Aside from my friends and psychologist, I have found developing a strong sense of community through my hobbies like footy and jujitsu to be just as important in my journey. They have provided a network that I can lean on during tough times.

Although confronting my mental health struggles hasn’t been easy, I urge others in similar situations to take the leap of faith—just start with baby steps and open up to someone you can trust.

I now use my experiences to help others, sharing my story with the youth mental health organisation, Batyr.