Ashlee Harrison promoting mental health awareness in young people with zero2hero Day

“I was sitting on the same table as Nick and we were writing a potential acceptance speech together, bouncing ideas off each other,” Ms Harrison, of Churchlands, said.

But it did not prepare the zero2hero founder for when her name was called as the winner.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so anxious,” she said.

Ms Harrison said she wanted to use the opportunity to tell the room “of so many important people” why zero2hero existed.

“We need to talk about mental illness and youth suicide and reduce the stigma around it,” she said.

The award will enable Ms Harrison to educate young leaders in rural communities.

“The award was sponsored by BHP, which is very exciting because we want to move our programs and promote them rurally,” she said.