Abandoned by her mother at birth, sexually assaulted by a man she met on Snapchat and alone after the death of her best friend, Marlie tried to commit suicide on her 14th birthday. Here is the powerful story of how she turned her life around
Marlie Thomas was abandoned by her mother as a child and lost her best friend to suicide at the age of 13
The lonely teenager sought solace on Snapchat where she friended a man who sexually assaulted her
She turned to cannabis and alcohol as a way to cope before trying to take her life on 14th birthday
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Subscriber only Suicide is the biggest killer of young people aged 15 to 24, a statistic that Bundaberg social worker Adam Klimkiewicz is passionate about addressing. Mr Klimkiewicz is based in Bundaberg with Youth Insearch to provide face-to-face services for the region s young people to connect, develop and grow amid life s hurdles. Today, the organisation is launching its annual End Youth Suicide campaign. Now in its third year, the Youth Insearch End Youth Suicide campaign encourages young people to defy the stigma and talk openly about suicide with their friends, families, and communities. And for those things too hard to talk about to friends and family, Mr Klimkiewicz says regular workshops and group gatherings with guides and peers can provide a safe space to talk.