I don’t even know where to start! I have never really shared my story to anyone because it still feels so fresh, so new! I remember every detail like it was yesterday. It all started in 2016 my sister and her partner had just gotten together and I met a whole bunch of his friends at a house party, I remember feeling so alive, happy and free spirited. I met this guy who I thought to be wonderful…..

I'm 28 years old and i have suffered from depression and anxiety since i lost my mum to suicide four years ago. I was due to give birth to my now four year old, and only a month before she decided to give up, i felt so alone and scared. I was in a relationship at the time with my daughters dad who is no longer in either of our lives.

I've constantly been belittled and abused for the last 10 years of my life by the two relationships I've been in. Tonight I finally called the police and ended it all. This is my home and me and my children haven't felt safe for a long time.

When I was 17 years old, someone close to me, told me that I had put a lot of weight on and that I needed to be careful or else no one would love me. When I was 18 years old, I developed a very serious eating disorder and one which would follow me for longer than I could have ever wanted. When I was 19, I met someone who I thought was the love of my life. As time unfolded, I was in the most toxic situation I could have ever imagined.

I don't know that I have a story. I grew up in a beautiful family, I have wonderful friends, I have an amazing husband and children. I live in a wonderful house and I have a job. Yet I always question my worth.

I never really understood what anxiety was or the effects it has on everyday life until I was diagnosed with cancer. At 27, I was overseas in Europe and I noticed a lump in my right breast. When I returned from overseas I had it checked out by my GP. I didn’t have a family history of breast cancer and given my age thought it couldn’t be cancer.

I am a single mum of two beautiful children and after a few years separated from my ex husband I decided to get back out there. In 2018, I thought I had met my soulmate. The first date went really well and we were inseparable ever since. The first six months were great and all of a sudden things changed and I found myself in a toxic relationship which led to physical abuse.

I grew up in a house with domestic violence and developed multiple mental illnesses. At 18 years old, I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, anorexia and a personality disorder. I don't know if I would have become ill without the violence but it definitely contributed. Becoming an adult is meant to be the best part of your life but for me it was the start of a downward spiral.