Kellie Hatcher wrote her first suicide note at age 12.
The young girl, who grew up on Sydney's idyllic northern shores, had an outwardly happy childhood full of friends.
"But on the inside, I didn't want to be here, and I felt that I was burden on everyone I crossed paths with," Ms Hatcher, who is now 24, told the ABC.
Over the past few years, stories like Kellie's have rattled Sydney's northern beaches community — an area famed for its pristine beaches and laid-back surf culture.
The deaths last year of several young people in quick succession placed the area in the spotlight, but local community groups strongly reject claims of a suicide "crisis".
A chain of new youth-led support networks have since taken root, with organisations like Community Care Northern Beaches (CCNB) leading the charge.
"We think the solution for their mental health and wellbeing comes from young people themselves," chief executive Dr Gary Jacobson said.
"The reality is there are issues from loneliness to drug and alcohol issues through to social isolation and social media — there is a raft of issues that young people are facing.
"But they're keen to find solutions themselves and not have things imposed on them."
The suicide rate in the area peaked in 2015, but has declined steadily since then.
Community provides purpose
CCNB has helped build a community of "youth mentors" — young people who meet with one another regularly, consult with the local council and use their own experiences to help others.
One of the area's new leaders is 19-year-old Matthew Caruana — a young fitness enthusiast who became a paraplegic after attempting suicide at 16.
He has since dedicated his life to improving youth mental health on the northern shores.
"I remember asking myself three questions: What was the meaning of my life? If I were dead would anything change? Am I a valuable part of society?" Matthew said.
"I couldn't come up with an answer because I was young and didn't have a role to play in my community.
"I see where I was and where I am now, and I don't want other people to have to go through what I did to get to where I am today.
"It wasn't until I got out of my comfort zone and found what I loved to do that I became fulfilled and felt no longer worthless but worth it."
Ms Hatcher said young people had been given a sense of purpose through these connections.
"If someone doesn't have a sense of belonging, they're not going to feel complete or whole," she said.
"It's hard to thrive without that sense of belonging and I've done a complete 180 (degree turn) in how I feel this year."
