Xanthe Stuckey (2024) was selected for the ABC Heywire feature, where she shared her powerful personal journey with mental health. Her story highlights the challenges she faced with depression and the long, often difficult road to finding the right support in regional Australia. Despite these obstacles, Xanthe has shown remarkable strength and resilience. She now aspires to work in the mental health field, advocating for others who may be struggling. In this interview, she shares her experiences, inspirations and hopes for the future as she continues to transform her personal challenges into a platform for change.
- Xanthe, your story was selected for the ABC Heywire feature and it sheds light on your personal journey. What inspired you to share your story?
I shared my story with the hope that it might reach someone who is struggling, offering them a sense of hope. I also wanted to show that success is possible after years of feeling dismissed and not receiving the right support. - In the ABC Heywire feature, you have spoken about the challenges of accessing mental health support in regional Australia. Can you share more about what that experience was like and how it shaped your path?
As a young person facing a serious issue, I felt overlooked and dismissed, often not taken seriously until things reached a crisis point. I believe no one should ever feel that suicidal ideation is the only solution when they aren’t receiving appropriate medical care. Six years of advocating for myself taught me patience, resilience and how to navigate the medical system to be heard. Now, I am passionate about working in these fields to help others who may be feeling stuck or unheard by specialists. - Throughout your journey, you have found different ways to cope, such as art, exercise and spending time with your dog. How important were these outlets in your healing process?
While they weren’t a solution to something as serious as depression, these activities helped me to find simple joys in life and to keep moving forward during a very tough time. It’s often the little things that can make the biggest difference in helping us get through challenging moments. - When you finally found the right support, it made a significant impact on your life. How did that change your perspective on mental health and treatment?
For some people, including myself, medication can make all the difference between participating in life and simply existing. There will always be individual differences when it comes to treatment, but I found that while practices like meditation and breathing exercises were helpful, the most significant improvement came when I was able to access medication that addressed my chemical imbalance. It allowed me to truly engage with life again. - In your story, you mentioned aspirations to work in the mental health field. How do you hope to make a difference for others who may be struggling with similar challenges?
My goal is to start more conversations around mental health, particularly in regional and rural areas where it remains a taboo topic. I hope to work directly with young people, listening to their concerns and offering guidance, or connecting them with the right support. Mental health challenges can be life-threatening and no young person should carry that weight alone. - You have mentioned the idea of a mobile ‘wellness wagon’ to educate educators in regional areas about mental health. Can you tell us more about this concept and how you hope it could make a difference in the way mental health is approached in regional communities?
At the Heywire Regional Youth Summit, my group and I brainstormed ideas to improve health education in regional and rural areas. One idea was the ‘wellness wagon,’ a mobile platform that would provide mental health education to schools, teachers and other professionals. This initiative would create a space for young people in regional areas to voice their health concerns, while also educating educators on how to respond. It’s designed to break down barriers and make it easier for both young people to ask for help and for professionals to know how to support them effectively. - When you are not focused on your work or mental health advocacy, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love spending time with my dog, Delta and hanging out with friends whenever I can. I also enjoy camping; it’s a great way to relax and recharge.
If you have any new ideas for your community? You could share your idea and make a difference in your community like Xanthe too.
Head to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to apply.
The Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal collaborates with ABC Heywire to help communities take action on the ideas generated by young Australians who attend the annual Heywire Regional Youth Summit. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for communities across Australia to adapt and act on the ideas generated at the summit.
Applications close on Wednesday, 30 April 2025.
