AMY Coombe practices what she preaches.
The inspirational speaker and 2014 Mental Health Week WA ambassador says a negative mind “can draw you in and play tricks on you but we need to be stronger than it”.
The mother of two was 14 years old when she developed an eating disorder that she fought for four years and led to mental health issues.
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READ NOWShe only came off anti-depressant medication when she was 23.
“People think there’s one solution but from my experience it’s little things you can do daily and they are the things that really help,” she said.
Mrs Coombe is one of four keynote speakers at zero2hero’s In Your Head – A Youth Mental Health Forum and Parental Guidance Recommended – A Parenting Seminar on Thursday at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Former Fremantle Dockers captain Matthew Pavlich, Dr Arne Rubinstein and Happiness Scientist Annika Rose are also part of the initiative.
Mrs Coombe said she would talk to students about the challenges they would face whether they had mental health issues or not.
“For parents, it’s about how do we support our teens when they are in their teenage years, how we communicate with them and the best times to do that,” she said.
“It’s about how we keep that connection strong so if they do need help they will communicate.”
Zero2hero founder Ashlee Harrison is hosting the seminars to raise money and awareness for the non-profit group that teachers teenagers to be mental health leaders at their schools and among their peers.
Christ Church Grammar School students Felix King (Year 12) and Jack Maurice (Year 11) have attended zero2hero camps and will be at this week’s forum to learn more about dealing with mental health.
“Dr Arne is an absolute genius on growing up and becoming an adult,” Felix said.
“I’m interested in starting initiatives like his at my school.”
For tickets to the daytime forum for students or parents evening session, visit www.zero2hero.com.au.
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