The 13-year-old had just been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and Asperger’s, and felt alone and vulnerable.

“I probably had it before but it wasn’t diagnosed until I was 13 and it was confusing,’’ she said.

“When you find out that you have something, it is scary. You want to know as much as you can about it but you don’t know where to start.’’

Born in Manchester, England, Ms Harris-Garside has been dealing with mental health issues for almost 10 years.

Now living in Cordeaux Heights, the 23-year-old gets help from a number of support groups, including headspace Wollongong.

“Living with those two things it can seem very difficult and things can get too hard, but with headspace it actually feels like you've got hope,’’ Ms Harris-Garside said.

She will join fellow headspace Wollongong Youth Reference Group volunteers and take part in the second Out of the Shadows and into the Light Walk on Friday, September 9. The event raises awareness and encourage conversations about suicide prevention.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians under the age of 44, and accounts for one in four deaths of young people aged 15-24,’’ headspace Wollongong service manager Johanna Allsopp said.

Headspace Wollongong community engagement officer Clementina Velasco said the figures were alarming.

“I guess the walk is really about creating a community response to that and to show that the whole community is united in trying to reduce those deaths by suicide,’’ she said.

Ms Harris-Garside hoped the community would support the cause and give hope to those dealing with mental health issues.

“No matter how bad things get, you've got that hope there and that’s what the walk is about. If you get to that point and you don’t want to go on, you are not alone -there is help,’’ she said.

“Never give up. There is something special inside every one of us and we can't let that light go out.’’

Walk participants should meet at 5.15pm for a 5.30pm start at Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse, Wollongong.

Walkers will go to North Wollongong Beach for a picnic. The event will include entertainment and participants can pick up information about local services. Details at www.facebook.com/headspacewollongong

Young people needing help can contact headspace (4220 7660 or headspace.org.au). For immediate support call Lifeline (131 114) or Kids Help Line on 1800 551 800.