I know how lucky I was to get a mentor. Not everyone gets that chance. – Lily*
This time last year, things were really hard. I felt so angry all the time, and I honestly didn’t see the point in trying. It felt like everyone was against me, no matter what I did. I started arguing with teachers, and eventually it was easier to just not go to school at all. My friends and parents didn’t get it, no one did. I just wanted to sit in my room, put my headphones on, and block out the world.
Then I met my Raise mentor. At first, I thought the whole thing was stupid. How could someone I didn’t know get it, when not even my own family did? But my mentor kept coming each week and, for some reason, so did I. Eventually, I found out they liked hip-hop. I didn’t know old people even liked music like that! The next week, I told my mentor how I was feeling. They didn’t judge me, or tell me I was wrong or bad, they just listened. Someone finally understood. They helped me see that I’m actually really creative, and good at stuff like problem-solving and thinking outside the box. They showed me that even when things are really hard, I can ask for help and people will listen. I started going to class again and actually trying with my homework. Something felt different this time.
Suddenly, I was doing really well, and the teachers told me they were really proud of me. I was kind of proud of me, too. I talked to my friends about it, the way my mentor practised with me, and we started hanging out again, going to the beach, and playing soccer on the weekends. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted, and I could finally breathe again. I can’t believe how different this year is. I’m in a much better place, I’ve got real friends, I’m doing better at school, and I’ve even asked mum to help me write a resume. I know how lucky I was to get a mentor. Not everyone gets that chance. There are so many more young people out there who feel alone, just like I did.
*We have changed the name and used a photograph of an actor to protect the identity of the mentee.
