Young leaders at the front line of ending youth suicide

Ms Thomas, a rural mental health support worker, was once that girl.

"Young people walk through the door, and I see little Marlie. It's so sad," she told AAP.

"It breaks my heart when they walk in, but I tell them 'you're just like me when I was your age'."

Ms Thomas sought help from the Youth Insearch support program at 14, when she was using drugs and alcohol to cope with the pain of growing up separated from her siblings and surviving sexual assault.

Having seen seven counsellors and three psychologists, she finally found comfort in the service's workshops, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with other teenagers and being assisted by peer support workers who had overcome their own childhood trauma.

At 20, she is training to be one of those workers in her home town of Gunnedah, in northern NSW.

She credits the program for saving her life and giving her purpose.

"I had so much big trauma in my life. I never thought I'd be where I am now."

Youth Insearch, which operates in regional areas across Victoria, Queensland and NSW, is running its fifth End Youth Suicide campaign this week, remembering the 402 young Australians who died by suicide in 2021.

Suicide is the leading cause of death in people aged 15-24, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

This group is described as "the forgotten middle", whose mental health needs are often not met by clinical interventions.

Youth Insearch chief executive Stephen Lewin, peer workers and participants will meet with Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride at federal parliament on Tuesday to emphasise the need for trauma-informed care.

The organisation wants social workers and peer support staff placed in rural and regional communities to reach teenagers who may not initially trust GPs or psychologists.

"Young people who are most at risk of suicide are those who have experienced complex trauma, like sexual abuse, domestic violence, or ongoing bullying," Mr Lewin said.

"The abuse usually happens at the hand of an adult. A lot of young people have been in and out of the home care system, or the juvenile justice system, and they've lost trust.

"We're able to reach them through young people with lived experience, and build trust rapidly. If they meet someone like Marlie, they know this person has walked similar footsteps."

Ms Thomas said the teenager who came to the support groups has rebuilt confidence and trust after months of work.

"It's just knowing there's a room full of young people who get where you're coming from and understand your trauma.

"You just feel safe."

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

Australian Associated Press