Arts student 2017 ACT Young Australian of the Year finalist
Bachelor of Arts student, Rachael Stevens, a finalist for the 2017 ACT Young Australian of the Year. Image: T8 photography
ANU Arts student Rachael Stevens has been named an ACT Young Australian of the Year finalist for 2017.
At the age of 15, Ms Stevens was hospitalised and at risk of losing her life because of an eating disorder.
After four hospitalisations for depression and anorexia throughout her life, the author of Skeleton Diaries is now fully recovered, and is using her experience to help others.
"I am astounded to be a part of the awards alongside the other three ACT Young Australian of the Year finalists," said Ms Stevens.
"At 15 I couldn't imagine a future. I was struggling to stay alive and didn't even believe I would finish school.
"Now 10 years later at 25 life couldn't be more different. I'm constantly surprised and grateful at how beauty and bravery can emerge from the brokenness of life."
Ms Stevens said after dropping out of high school due to mental illness, she never thought she would be able to go university.
"I'm so excited to be finishing my undergraduate degree in Sociology at the end of this year," the Bachelor of Arts student said.
In 2017 Ms Stevens plans to do postgraduate study at ANU in the area of Master of Culture, Health and Medicine.
"With suicide currently being the biggest killer of young people in Australia, my dream is to see this statistic change," she said.
In March, Ms Stevens was named the 2016 ACT Young Woman of the Year for mentoring and inspiring girls with mental illness.
For more information on the awards visit the Australian of the Year Awards website.