Model and TV personality Nick Bracks is the latest high-profile Australian to join forces with the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace, to help raise awareness around youth mental health issues and motivate other young people going through a tough time to seek help early.

The 25-year-old's first role as a headspace ambassador has been creating a video recounting his personal struggle with depression and alcohol abuse.

Nick said initially he didn't recognise that what he was going through was depression and didn't know why he was lacking motivation, sleeping all day and isolating himself.

"There was nothing that excited me. I was getting through each week by going out and getting drunk on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and then doing nothing during the week," Bracks said.

"I've always been an early riser but I'd be spending all day in bed, thinking why get up, I've got nothing to get out of bed for. I didn't want to face the world and even felt anxious about going to see friends," Nick said.

Nick said he used alcohol as a coping mechanism and recalls the drink driving incident that lead to his father, then-Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, telling reporters he had been an "absolute idiot".

"I used alcohol to cover up what was really going on because I didn't want to face my real problems. This led me to the point where I put my life and the lives of my closest friends in danger," he said.

Nick said he hoped that by working with headspace, more young people will hear his story and recognise how small problems can spiral out of control when you put off getting help.

"I want people to realise that these issues are common and there's plenty of help available to get things back on track," Bracks said.

headspace CEO Chris Tanti said stories like Nick's can help spark conversations between young people and their friends and family around mental health and break down the stigma that stops young people seeking help.

"Each year around one-in-seven teenagers and more than a quarter of 18 to 25 year olds will experience mental health problems or problems with alcohol and drugs. But sadly only one in four will actually get professional help," Tanti said.

"I think Nick's story will strike a chord with young people who might be unsure about reaching out for help."

Nick's ongoing partnership with headspace will be on a national and local community level, speaking at schools and getting involved in youth mental health campaigns throughout the year.

View Nick's video and get more information about headspace at headspace.org.au

headspace media contact:

Carly Wright

0413 025 385

cwright@headspace.org.au