We ask young Australians how they got through their darkest moments in a new podcast series called Enough | sopphie JewelTopsfield
Asking somebody “how are you?” wasn’t just to exchange pleasantries; it was asked sincerely.As journalists, we were at once reporting on the mental toll of the pandemic as well as living it.Marija Ercegovac
In particular, it was impossible not to recognise the impacts that uncertainty and isolation were having on young people. Many of us athave children, adolescents or young adults in our lives, and we saw their struggle with the loss of normal rites of passage., a new podcast series about youth mental health. We chose this title because the word “enough” will mean something different to anybody dealing with a mental illness. For some young people, it meant telling themselves: “I am enough”.
Bound by COVID-19 restrictions, we met young people outdoors in backyards and noisy Melbourne parks. Others, we connected with over video calls.Their comfort in sharing some of their darkest, most private moments was nothing short of inspiring. Many Australians don’t know what it’s like to have a panic attack, feel suicidal or battle disordered eating, but the young people we spoke to managed to articulate those experiences with a rawness that had the power to break away lingering stigmas.
There was 18-year-old Alex, who is transgender and dealt with depression and self-harm while seeking acceptance of his identity. We met 19-year-old Molli, who found herself being haunted by her eating disorder during COVID-19 lockdowns. We heard from Anita, who emphasised the preciousness of life after surviving two suicide attempts. And for all their hardships, they still shone with energy and even humour.
The OECD has warned that the COVID-19 crisis has turned into a mental health crisis for young people. And as we were reminded over and over, young people’s mental health is not about to have a snap recovery.