Finley, age 19
“I thought I wouldn’t make it. Youth Talk helped me believe I could.”
Before Youth Talk, Finley was trying to survive each day. School felt unbearable. Anxiety, depression and trauma were building.
Everything changed when he reached out.
What was life feeling like before Youth Talk?
Life felt terrible.
My family were amazing and they brought me joy – but everything else kind of destroyed me, especially school. That’s where things got really bad. I became very anxious, depressed, and developed PTSD
What made you reach out for support?
I had attempted suicide multiple times. The last time, I was really trying to end my life and my family found me just before I did. That’s when things had to change.
School had tried counselling, but it didn’t work for me. So, I reached out to Youth Talk as it was a service my parents knew about.
What happened when you first contacted Youth Talk?
Because of how severe things were, Youth Talk actually suggested I go to Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as they thought I might need more support.
But CAMHS said I wasn’t bad enough and sent me back.
So, I reached out to Youth Talk again and they happily supported me.
What was your first counselling session like?
Incredible.
The counsellor made me feel heard straight away. For the first time, I felt like I could actually get through this.
They broke down my walls and got me talking. They helped me start to understand myself.
How would you describe your counsellor and the experience?
They were so supportive, and it built really quickly.
They lifted me up and helped me understand myself. They made me realise I didn’t have to accept how people were treating me – and that there were people in my life who truly cared about me.
They made me believe in myself again. Something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
The whole experience felt like a huge burden had been taken off my shoulders.
Was there a moment where something started to change?
Yes, after my first session.
As I was leaving, my counsellor just said, “Thank you for coming, I hope you have a nice day.”
That might sound small, but alongside all that we’d talked through, it really meant everything. It lifted me up.
I walked out and my parents and brother were there. We went to a café and talked. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged – and that was because of Youth Talk.
How are things different for you now?
I feel a lot better.
I still carry some of it with me – like scars. It doesn’t just disappear. There are still things that affect me.
But I feel lighter. Happier than I ever thought I could.
And that’s because of the support I got.
What do you think might have happened without that support?
Honestly, I think I’d either be dead or living a really horrible life.
I didn’t get the support I needed elsewhere. Youth Talk made the difference.
What would you say to another young person?
The unknown can feel terrifying.
But even taking that first step – making a call, referring yourself, asking for help – is huge.
It’s a step so many people don’t take. But it’s the start of something. The start of healing. And the start of becoming a better version of yourself
What do you wish adults understood?
There are a few things I wish adults better understood – just from my experience.
It’s not always as simple as walking away from people who are hurting you.
Sometimes the people you think are your friends are actually the ones causing the damage. But when you’re already struggling, the fear of being alone can feel worse – so you stay, even when it’s hurting you.
Toughening up doesn’t work.
You might push things down for a while, but it doesn’t go away. It builds up. And eventually, it comes out in a much worse way.
Sometimes, just being there really matters.
Even a simple “how are you?” at the right moment can make a difference. You never know when someone is struggling but doesn’t know how to ask for help.
I wish someone had done that for me.
Would you recommend Youth Talk?
Yes 100%.
I’ve already recommended it to other people, and they’ve benefited from it too.