Just two years ago, Sao Hom was in a dark place she couldn't imagine escaping.
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The then 15-year-old was struggling with severe depression and social anxiety and had no idea where to turn.
![Sao Hom Palu says Headspace was the start of her mental health recovery. Photo: Jamila Toderas Sao Hom Palu says Headspace was the start of her mental health recovery. Photo: Jamila Toderas](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc74yhpmtjhog17fle311o.jpg/r0_511_5000_3333_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
She was self-harming, felt isolated from the world and her parents had no idea what she was going through.
"To have social anxiety, it feels like everywhere is anxiety inducing. Everywhere that's not at home is putting yourself in danger," she said.
She credits discovering Headspace Canberra with pulling her out of a deep darkness.
"I had started to self harm and I felt very alone, that there was nowhere I could go," she said.
But she opened up to her good friend, who helped her do some research about where she could find help.
That's when she found Headspace.
"It really started my mental health recovery journey and I'm very grateful for that," she said.
"It saved me. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that, I'd still be in a dark place."
Sao Hom's mental health issues started as a child when she moved around a lot, making and losing friends quickly.
She was also cyber bullied as an adolescent.
"It really did take a toll on my mental health," she said.
When she first got help, she wasn't ready to share with her parents what she was going though. So the ability to get help without their knowledge or permission was crucial to her recovery.
She's now part of the youth reference group at Headspace Canberra, which is celebrating 10 years in operation and helping more than 14,000 people in that time.
The anniversary celebrations coincide with the official launch of the new, centrally located centre in Braddon - which opened its doors to young people in December last year.
Zora Todoroska, Centre Manager at Headspace Canberra, said the centre had provided a safe space for young people.
"Young people are the ones who are referring themselves," she said.
"We know we're not the answer for everything but it's a good place to start."
Sao Hom, now 17 and completing year 12, said as a teenager riddled with debilitating anxiety, she could never have imagined sharing her story as she was now.
"Growing up I always just thought that this is how I will always be," she said.
"That I'd always be nervous about everything and I was pretty worried about that because humans are really social creatures and I thought I wouldn't be able to thrive in this kind of society.
"But there is help available and it's very accessible."
If you or someone you know needs help, phone Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.