“It’s just words” was the response from both teachers and the police to threats on her daughter’s life.

It was still “just words” when her daughter was physically threatened, and it was still “just words” when she developed an eating disorder and became suicidal.

These words have given Mrs Kemp a mission, to make a change to Tasmania’s youth mental health system.

Mrs Kemp watched her daughter become the subject of ruthless bullying through high school and into college, Janine.

“She’d call me screaming from within a toilet cubicle because girls were on the other side banging on the door to get her,” Mrs Kemp said.

Now in the equivalent of year eleven, Janine pulled her out of school, saying it’s a lot better for her at home. In fact, it’s been her best year yet.

“I’m one of the lucky ones. I’ve worked in enough areas to understand the system, but many people don’t have my knowledge, and you shouldn’t have to be in certain positions or places to get any help.”

She works tirelessly, outside of her day job, to improve the youth mental health system in Tasmania.

She’s working with app developers in Canada to launch a state-wide app called ThoughtSpot, which provides a virtual guide to available mental health services, as well as walking tracks, support groups and resources such as helplines.

The app, which is highly customisable to local jurisdictions and to the needs of individual users, can empower young people and allow them to take control of their own health, she says.

“Youth don’t want to be told what to do, and we don’t give youth enough control over their own lives. This gives them the power to do that,” Mrs Kemp said.

She is also in talks to produce a documentary on the stories of Tasmanian young people and their struggles with mental illness.

She hopes to present it to a delegation of over 400 national and international mental health advocates and experts at the National Mental Health Commission conference next March.

“It’s the best opportunity to tell the stories of young people and to demand change,” she said.

However, that won’t happen without volunteers.

“I need brave young people to come forward and share their stories,” she said.

“There’s this perception out there that young people are feeling pretty good about themselves, life, school, and that’s not the case.

“It’s about time youth had a voice, and their own voice is the strongest.”

For support call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.