Like all teenagers, the Dianella resident was finding her path, but was also coming to grips with her parents’ divorce and her mother’s diagnosis as bi-polar.
‘They were the big triggers for me,’ Ms Bateman, who is now 23, said. ‘A lot of things changed at that time and it was really overwhelming and really isolating.’
What she did next had the most pronounced effect on her life, and it is advice she continues to share.
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READ NOW‘I asked for help pretty quickly from my dad and he helped put me in contact with the school psychologist,’ Ms Bateman said.
‘It is always scary, no matter who you are, asking for help. Most people were just amazing and supportive.
‘Mental health doesn’t take over your life and ruin everything in it, it becomes one part of you that you have to deal with. Like diabetes, you learn to live with it.’
Ms Bateman said asking for help had ensured she was able
She also took part in the WA Mental Health Co7mission’s initiative Music Feedback, which allowed young people to ask their favourite musicians about their mental health experiences.
Ms Bateman interviewed one of her favourite artists Mama Kin, with others including Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Lionzer also interviewed.
‘The great thing about Music Feedback is the domino effect it can have for young people who are struggling,’ she said.
‘When I was younger I didn’t see my favourite actors or musicians speaking openly about mental health.
‘I think it would make a difference seeing people who are successful speak about their mental health.’
The WA Youth Affairs Council is printing 20,000 copies of the Music Feedback DVD, which will be distributed at youth centres and festivals.
For more information, go to facebook.com/musicfeedbackoz.