“My stress levels were blown way out of proportion compared to what was actually happening in my life.” beyondblue youth ambassador Tom Rust, aged 21.

Tom Rust’s family knew something was wrong, but they attributed the dramatic change in his behaviour to the pressures of his last year at school.

And by his own admission, the youth ambassador for beyondblue: the national depression initiative did use the stress of completing Year 12 to mask a deeper issue. 

“I was 17 and the HSC definitely made it more complicated because I didn’t know whether I was just worried about school,” Tom says. “I guess I did use school as an excuse to cover up how I was really feeling from my parents.”

“My stress levels were blown way out of proportion compared to what was actually happening in my life. It started interfering with things like everyday life, school, relationships, getting to sleep at night.

“I was also starting to show signs of depression. I had this constant negative outlook – good things would happen to me, but I just wouldn’t care. It was like a big weight on me, I just felt pulled down all the time.”

Tom battled through the exams and then shifted his focus to the trip of a lifetime in Canada’s world-famous Whistler ski resort.

“I thought, I will just see what happens, I’m sure I’ll get better, but it was much the same,” Tom says. “I was on holiday, I wasn’t working, I had nothing to worry about, but I just wasn’t happy. I couldn’t shake the negative feelings that had taken over for the past three years.”

When Tom returned home, he decided to do something about how he was feeling. He made an appointment with a GP, who diagnosed Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and with the help of a psychiatrist, his condition improved. With the support of his parents, he is now enjoying life again which includes studying economics at university.

It is estimated that one in seven young people in Australia has an anxiety disorder and one in 16 has depression, so the chances are that you know someone who has been affected by these illnesses – a friend or family member.

With the goal of raising awareness and reducing stigma for young people, Youthbeyondblue’s messages are look for the signs of depression and anxiety, listen to each other, talk about what’s going on and seek help together.

Tom: “Getting help has changed my life. I learnt that anxiety and depression are treatable and I now feel that I’m well on the way to a successful recovery.”

For more information about the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety in young people, visit www.youthbeyondblue.com, call the beyondblue info line on 1300 22 4636 or email infoline@beyondblue.org.au.

Trained counsellors are available by phoning the following 24-hour telephone counselling services: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800, or visit the websites www.kidshelp.com.au, www.headspace.org.au and www.reachout.com.

Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.