Deirdre Jennings who is from Ros an Mhíl, a Gaeltacht village in Conamara in Galway, said that things "took a dip" after her late father took ill.
Speaking about these struggles, Ms Jennings described this period "as a really bad thing in my life".
"The Leaving Cert year was a complex year," she said. "Unfortunately, dad was diagnosed with cancer at the start of that year – me and my dad were very close – and I suppose the whole year was just trying to process that".
"He passed away in December. My brain just put it into a little chest and tried to ignore it and not deal with it, but you can't do that, it will always come out in the end".
Ms Jennings continued: "In my second year of college, I did have a dip in my mental health, and I do think it was just a delayed response," she said.
The Galway Rose added that she knew she "couldn't do it by myself anymore" shortly after she turned sixteen and said she "wouldn't be who I am today" without going on her difficult journey.
Reflecting on this traumatic time, Deirdre Jennings revealed that she eventually took control and asked for help.
"I made the step to ask for help. I remember asking my mother in her room and she brought me to the GP", she explained. "It’s been a long journey, a lot of trial and error with medications and counselling and things, but I wouldn’t be who I am today without it".
"I don’t see it as a really bad thing in my life. I think it has made me so strong. I feel like I’ve mastered it somehow. I have a really happy life and I’m so blessed with everything that I have", she added.
"I am happy most of the time – ninety per cent of the time – and that’s after years and years of getting there. When you’re in a good place, that’s the best time to work on yourself".
Deirdre Jennings also offered advice to anybody who is struggling with mental health.
"Asking for help is a brave thing to do, but it’s an important thing to do. Secondly, out of all the things I’ve gotten help with, it was the kindness of people that was really important", she stated.
