The Life of Katie Graden

Experiencing a breakdown was like death... I was captured... I remember sitting in my room crying with my mum cradling me- nobody knew what had happened. All I remembered was leaving my primary school being told, " Katie, you have a great future ahead, you will work hard and succeed." Now, well I was broken and lost- I didn't know where I was going, in fact I didn't even want to be here, but then one day mum asked " Katie, how would you feel about moving school?" I nodded, I don't think this was exactly the response she was looking for as she looked shocked and worried because the normal Katie talked like a washing machine and analysed every aspect of a decision. The thing is- it wasn't really a choice, something had to be done- I needed to be well, we all couldn't go on like this. Everyone was tired and weary, but not once did my mum give up. It was all out of love and I wouldn't be where I am today without her. Walking through the doors o...

HI EVERYONE, my name is Katie and this is my first ever blog! I want to use this blog as an opportunity to make a difference in the world, I am an active campaigner and I want to encourage other people to join the fight against social injustice. Let me tell you a bit about myself... I got off to a rocky start in secondary education- I had excelled in primary school, but then I chose a school that wasn't particularly right for me. In Year 8, I faced many battles, but anxiety and depression destroyed me inside- change prompted anxiety levels to rise dramatically. My father left and pressures at school were becoming overwhelming, I had always been a worrier, but now panic attacks were part of everyday life. I just wanted to give up and this was what I was doing- I lost interest in all the things that I absolutely loved and before I knew it, I was trapped in a cycle of seemingly unbeatable anxiety. Each day was a challenge I no longer even wanted to face. My family watched me disi...