The Mount Isa teenager has been commended for her work in boosting awareness of the issues, landing a string of awards including the Mount Isa Zonta Club Young Women of Achievement award.

She was also bestowed with the 2015 young Citizen of the Year award at the Mount Isa City Council Australia Day awards.

The 17 year-old Spinifex State School student said she wanted to make a difference within her community.

“I’m serious about what I am doing,” she said. 

“Suicide and depression are big issues and I feel being a youth myself, it’s my job to help and I want to make my community better.” 

Miss King said she had a lot of support from Spinifex State College, and especially her mother and father, who have been her biggest influences. 

Miss King said once a year she raises money to help promote awareness.

“Suckers for Suicide is a week in which I raise money for suicide and depression awareness by selling Chupa Chups,” she said.

“The first year we sold 700 lollypops at 50 cents each and the second year we sold 1200 raising $600.

“I’m hoping to do it again this year.” 

Last year Miss King won the Zonta Young Women of Achievement Award for raising awareness of mental illness suicide rates among women in Australia and bettering the ideologies of women by promoting the notion that women are better than they think they are. 

She also won this year’s Australia Day award for Young Citizen of the Year for her youth work. 

When asked what she plans to do after high school Miss King said she was not 100 per cent certain.  

‘‘I do know wherever I go I want to spread positive messages,” she said. 

“Especially in small communities as they are disadvantaged in areas such as financial management, mental health and suicide and closing the gap between metropolitan and rural communities.”

Nominations for the Zonta awards close on February 20 and forms are available from The North West Star and the Zonta Club of Mount Isa Facebook page.