Why knowledge is power: advice for my younger self

If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger self, what would you say? Start

saving your money? Dump that jerk? Enter that marathon? Eat that donut?....

It sometimes feels like we put one foot in front of the other just to stumble 4ft backwards and

during my teens and adolescence, nobody actually sat me down and told me that was

normal! Most of what I learnt about mental health was from experiencing how much my own

was suffering; so to my younger self and all of our womxn out there, here is my advice…..

OWN IT. LEARN FROM IT. Whatever you are feeling, however you are coping (or not

coping), own it and know you are not alone. There is a strong network of GRLKND womxn

backing you and championing your mental health journey so reach out! We would love to

hear from you.

At GRLKND, we are so excited to be developing Brain Pilot! An accessible, relatable, and

practical approach for our youth covering concepts such as suicide, acute stress and panic

and self-harm, as they more often than not, turn to one another for support before an adult.

Targeted at Year 10-12 students, our program empowers our youth to develop their mental

health awareness, literacy and identify early when to seek support. This program is

preparing for take off and our expert crew will be on board to champion and support this

journey for all involved.

So world, my final piece of advice…..

Today’s boss babes were once young, uncertain and unsure of where to start a mental health conversation. Our future leaders, mothers, entrepreneurs and visionaries are preparing for flight, strapped in and navigating the turbulence of their teens and adolescence.

It’s so important for us as a community, to raise awareness of common mental

health problems and educate our youth on the signs, symptoms and supports available to

those struggling or needing a helping hand. If this sounds like something you would be

interested in learning about, reach out to us!

Knowledge is power and together, we are strong! Sending love and positive vibes to all of

our boss babes, dudes and young womxn. We see you, love you and want you to know that

you are not alone in this journey.

If you or a loved one need support, for crisis support or suicide intervention services please

contact Lifeline on 13 11 44.

By Emma Meldrum, People Champion at GRLKND and Accredited MHFA Instructor