Jenna Thornton, 19, joins Griffith’s campaign for a youth mental health facility, sharing her brave story of her struggle with depression. Picture: Anthony Stipo
BEAUTIFUL, confident and capable, Jenna Thornton knows that the world is her oyster.
But she didn't always feel that way.
The 19-year-old understands what it's like to be gripped by dark depression, hitting rock bottom three years ago when she ended up in hospital on suicide watch.
"I was severely bullied at high school," Miss Thornton said.
"I even moved schools but I found I was the odd one out and felt really alone. Things just got worse for me.
"I had food scraps thrown at me, name calling and doors were slammed in my face so I couldn't get into the classroom, then teachers would get angry at me for being late.
"I'd go home and take it out on my poor mum and then refuse to go back to school for weeks on end. I'd stay in bed the whole time. She'd bring me food and check I was still breathing."
The brave young woman, who recently started a traineeship at a local real estate agent, will be there when the Headspace for Griffith petitions are handed over to MP Michael McCormack tomorrow.
She believes Griffith is in dire need of a Headspace centre, where young people aged 12 to 25 can turn to for help.
"It would be a great step forward for Griffith if we had one here," she said.
"I had to get to the stage where I was hospitalised before I got help. Before that I had doctors tell me that it was just a stage I was going through and friends who said I should just suck it up.
"I was told to ring a hotline. I felt like no one cared."
Miss Thornton hopes by sharing her story she can help break down some of the barriers surrounding mental illness.
"It's like you are in a big hole trying to get out but people keep kicking you back down," she said.
"I finally got help when Mum contacted the Black Dog Institute and I had inpatient treatment in Sydney.
"When I saw the petitions for a Headspace around Griffith I got in touch with the organisers of the campaign. I'm really passionate about this. I don't want others to have to go through what I did, feeling like there was no where to turn.
"I know that most people are ashamed to admit they have a problem, but there really is no need to suffer in silence. I still have my bad days, but I now have tools to help deal with them and I try and surround myself with positive people."