Suicide bid sequel all about new life
The Perth teenager who made two haunting videos criticising WA's mental health services before attempting suicide has revealed a new reason to get and stay well.
Two days after her 18th birthday, Alysha Devereux revealed she was pregnant.
Ms Devereux sparked a huge public reaction nationally after The West Australian reported her powerful videos in November.
Using an iPad, she pleaded for more help for mentally ill young people.
Almost a year after her suicide bid almost killed her, the Clarkson teenager is still recovering from her injuries.
Her speech is still affected, she can't sing like she could before and brain damage has affected her balance and co-ordination.
"There are still some things I can't do, like running I can't do any more," Ms Devereux said. "I think it's more about confidence than a physical thing because my balance is not good. I keep thinking I'm going to fall."
Ms Devereux's mother Roxanne said bullying in Year 8 triggered her daughter's depression.
She went to child mental health specialists but her condition worsened.
The mother-to-be said being told she had polycystic ovary syndrome also affected her badly. "I'm excited because I was told I would probably never conceive. That was a big cause of my depression," she said.
Ms Devereux said she was seeing a psychologist and psychiatrist from WA's adult mental health services but believed her pregnancy was important for her recovery.
"That's more helpful than anything else," she said. "It's not just me I have to look after any more."
Ms Devereux's videos were directed at WA's child and adolescent mental health services. "Too old for some places, too young for other places," she said in one.
"The mental health system is f…ed, absolutely f…ed. It's like saying you can't have a mental problem between 16 and 18 because there's nowhere for us to put you.
"Tonight I'm going to die. I've had enough. Something needs to be done about the mental health system otherwise more people like me are going to die."
Soon afterwards Premier Colin Barnett admitted a shortage of specialists and a long-term ignorance of mental illnesses were to blame for inadequate psychiatric services for WA youths and that child and adolescent mental illness was "probably the highest priority".
WA's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service clinical services director Caroline Goossens said last year services were under increasing pressure from WA's rapidly growing population, but they could still deal with young people in crisis.
Ms Devereux was pleased her story has raised awareness of mental illness.
"I'm glad that good came out of it, that my story was heard and people actually listened for once," she said.
If you are in crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
