Youth Focus ambassador Meg Charnaud
Camera IconYouth Focus ambassador Meg Charnaud Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d490987

New Youth Focus ambassador shares tips to manage anxiety, depression

Denise S. CahillWestern Suburbs Weekly

WHEN Meg Charnaud is having a bad day, she hits the beach.

The white sand and blue water became the 21-year-old’s safe space during her struggles with anxiety and depression as a teenager and inspired her to start swimwear label – xcharnaud.

Image
Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied
PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“The beach was the first place I would go to if I was having the worst day, that was my safe space,” Ms Charnaud said.

The Methodist Ladies’ College graduate is sharing her story to let other young people know that life can be difficult but there’s support and ways to combat these feelings.

“A couple of things happened during middle school that piled up at the same time and that just spiralled quite quickly,” Ms Charnaud said.

“I didn’t want to go to school or do anything and I isolated myself and became quite self destructive.”

Image
Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

She said even her close friends didn’t know what she was going through, until she started self harming.

The Central Tafe fashion design student said she eventually started talking to a family friend who was a doctor and they introduced her to meditation, art therapy and exercise.

In 2016, Ms Charnaud launched xcharnaud that promotes the importance of feeling comfortable in swimwear.

“I’m super pedantic about what it feels like when you put my swimwear on,” she said.

“I use my friends to test each piece and it’s a real milestone moment when they love a piece I’ve made.”

Image
Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

As a Youth Focus ambassador, Ms Charnaud will experience her first Polo in the Valley next month and while she’s excited about event wear, she hasn’t quite decided on her outfit for the day.

WHAT: Polo in the Valley

WHEN: Saturday, April 6

WHERE: Duncraig Study, Swan Valley

TICKETS: www.polointhevalley.com.au

  • Thanks to Bentley Polo in the Valley, we are giving you the chance to WIN one of five double passes to the Polo Lounge marquee at the event. Visit www.communitynews.com.au/win