Leesa, 22, Largs Bay

Hobbies: Keeping fit, going to the beach, reading.

What was your experience with depression?

Growing up, I was a very ambitious and happy girl until I left school. I became over-reliant on other people to make me happy and when they couldn’t give me what I thought I needed from them, I took it as a negative reflection of myself.  As a result, my self-worth, self-esteem and self-confidence plummeted. I would come home from work every day to crawl into bed content in shutting out the world. I stopped talking to my friends and I stopped going out. It got to its worst when I started self harming. My mum was the first person to mention the word ‘depression’ to me and I have to admit, that it was pretty scary. She took me to my GP who referred me onto my psychiatrist. Together, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, we worked on the way I was thinking so negatively. I still have my ups and downs, but I’m a much stronger, happier, person now.

What do you think young people need to know about keeping mentally healthy?

That it can be done! It’s not always easy, but it’s all about finding out what works for you. Finding a balance in your life is so important. Balancing work life and home life along with other commitments, like sport can be tricky, but it’s crucial.

For me, keeping physically fit helps to keep me mentally fit, whilst for someone else, they might benefit more from speaking with someone once a week or a month. We’re all different.

What does the National Youth Week theme ‘Live it Now!’ mean to you?

To me the theme of ‘Live it Now’ is about embracing life. Making the most out of what we have and what we can do, Taking every experience and turning it into something to remember. We are fortunate enough to live in a free country where we have access to food and clean drinking water and safety, so it’s important not to take these things for granted and get the most out of life. It’s like a reminder that we are only here once. Take charge in your own life and do what makes you happy.

What’s the best thing about being a young person?

Everything and anything is possible! As a young person, the opportunities are endless, there is no limit to what we can achieve! For the majority of us, we are physically fit enough to do anything if you put the effort in. Not only this, but the century that we live in makes it even easier. You can gain qualifications, research and study pretty much anything over the internet.

On a less serious note, I think another great thing about being a young person is that generally we have less responsibilities, so we CAN let our hair down, make silly mistakes (to learn from) and embrace every moment.