R U OK? Day aims to keep the conversation going in regards to people’s mental health and well-being.

Former local girl Kate Boyce shares with The Riverine Grazier her journey of mental health.

When was the earliest you had begun to experience mental health issues? Were there any supports – school, home, doctor or did you battle alone?

I began experiencing mental health issues prior to my 18th birthday.

For me I felt I was stuck but also confused and scared. I wouldn’t leave my unit unless it was for work.

I stopped playing sport. I stopped catching up with friends and found myself a little isolated. It wasn’t until I decided to leave Hay unexpectedly (run away).

I had no idea where I was going. But I had to get away. I planned everything the night before and woke up early and left.

Fortunately for me, a wonderful Hay resident who I always call my Guardian Angel (Kerry Aldred) found me whilst I was on my journey to leave.

She had known my family for a long time. She saw the signs and encouraged me to seek help.

Now I look back on my journey of mental health, I feel the signs were there before I was diagnosed.

I just didn’t know what to look for or how to ask for help. My pride and stubbornness got in the way.

When did you seek help? What was your experience with the mental health system like? I sought help right before I left Hay back in 2006. My experience wasn’t great. The education around mental health I felt was very limited.

Maybe even a little brushed off. I was told that I most likely had depression and anxiety and that was it.

No flyers about it shared. No further appointments.

No recommendations to speak with anyone.

I absolutely love my hometown, but back in 2006, it was a hard journey to begin in Hay.

Dealing with the shame of being seen as weak and vulnerable in a community where I was known and lived.

I was so blessed that my Guardian Angel made time for me to visit her and gave time so I could speak with her about how I was feeling.

I felt at ease knowing I had someone who was connected but disconnected to my everyday life hear me and share advice.

But most importantly she listened to me with with no judgement.

Do you believe there is a disparity between mental health assistance access and services rurally as compared to city areas? (Especially Hay and areas like Hay).

Back when I was diagnosed, absolutely. I mean I was diagnosed in under 30 minutes, during my lunch break and told I had Depression.

No additional information given, basically left the appointment and that was it.

After leaving Hay, I moved around a bit to other regional towns before relocating to Melbourne in 2008.

I sought help again in Melbourne as I was really struggling with not knowing who I was and what I wanted.

I began spiralling again. I found the most amazing GP and she encouraged me to speak with people who specialise in Indigenous mental health.

As a young Koori woman, I saw the importance of speaking with someone who knew about some of the issues our mob face and how things can affect mob in a different way.

I mean for me at first Mental Health was just Depression.

But because I sought help from services who understood me as a person and not just my mental health issues. I was able to be diagnosed correctly with Moderate Depression, Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Since being diagnosed I have had access to some amazing treatments – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which has taught me about changing my thinking patterns.

It helped with the struggles and stressors I face with Anxiety and Depression.

Was there something different you wish was around when you were younger/ in need of help and unable to receive it?

Absolutely, I would have appreciated access to people who understood mental health issues so I could understand the journey I was about to take.

Not just being shrugged off as quickly as I was.

I felt like I was a burden or a ‘too hard basket’ to the health services.

I could have absolutely benefited from having a mental health service to speak with in person, rather than having to ring Kids Helpline when I was at the crisis stage.

My life could have turned out so different and I am so grateful I am where I am right now.

So I try not to think about the what ifs, but be thankful for the fact that I was able to build resilience through a tough time.

Be thankful that I learnt to find my stressors and triggers by myself.

You mentioned you work with younger people these days, is there anything you’ve seen/experienced that might be useful or worth looking into for Hay?

It all starts with education.

I am a Mental Health First Aid provider. I completed the training in Sydney recently and am hoping to be a facilitator in the near future.

The key to everything is education.

Removing the stigma and the barriers and make it OK to talk about it.

Don’t be scared to have the hard conversations, it needs to be done.

This one’s a little close to my family’s heart.

For rugby league or even sporting communities of Hay, speak with Roberta Butler who founded the Hayden Butler Foundation.

She lost her son a few years ago to Suicide.

She and her wonderful team are working hard to break the stigma and educate families in the sporting scene on what to look out for and what services are available.

Also accessing services like 13 YARN, Beyond Blue and EAP.

Now Hay has a wonderful Aboriginal Medical Services, I see the supports are already growing out in Hay.

That makes my heart happy knowing that people are there to talk to when or if ever needed.