Today's guest on Coffee and Contemplation with Women is Lucy Wilkie-Boulus, our youngest guest so far. Lucy is a denarian, or 18 year old woman, from Dalby, Queensland, Australia. 

Lucy is the daughter of Lyndalee Wilkie (episode 8) who spoke on christianity, sexuality and the magic of her country town. In helping us set up the Zoom call that day, Lucy put her hand up and said "I've got a story to share. I'm the elder sibling to 15-year old triplets, have lesbian parents, am being co-parented across 2 homes, can't see my boyfriend and can't start uni til 2021 due to Covid-19, and I've had anxiety and depression for 4 years."

Lucy, like all the other guests in the series looked across the questions I shared as prep but knew what she wanted to speak about straight-up! Particularly sharing her journey through grief over the loss of her grandparents, that turned into anxiety and depression and how she was supported by her mums, sought help and rose to the challenge to find who she is and 'make her own box'. It was the love of her mums and family and consulting with a kinesiologist that has got her back to where she is today. 

Where Lucy's journey has come to at the age of 18 is only the beginning. Lucy shares her plans to contribute through the education system in demystifying mental illness, in an age-appropriate way, to earlier grades at school than is done currently.

A courageous beautiful woman, inside and out. Lots of great take-aways today no matter who you are.

If the discussion around depression and anxiety or Lucy's sharing of the loss of her best friends, aka her grandparents, hits a nerve or causes you upset, in anyway, please reach out and speak with someone you trust, who can support you, or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.