Santiago says he struggled adapting to high school. He found it difficult making new friends and being accepted.

“I thought I’d be considered cool at high school. It was strange to go from 6-grade and being the biggest kid at primary school to being considered the smallest at high school,” he said. “I wasn’t part of the cool group, they didn’t want me around. I tried to find a way that people would like me. Because I couldn’t be one of the cool guys I used to be a smart-arse and the class clown instead, but that got me into trouble.”

Santiago says he sometimes landed into trouble even when it wasn’t his fault and developed a very bad reputation that he couldn’t shake off.

“I remember one day I walked into class and another student started talking to me, but the teacher yelled at me and put me on clean-up duties for no reason. That made me so frustrated because I felt I was being picked on all the time by my teachers,” he explained.

But things didn’t improve for Santiago and he was eventually expelled from his school after fighting with another student who called him a f***** p*****. Instead of walking away, Santiago kicked the student in the face.

“I was so angry. I used go into a rage and wouldn’t remember a thing. I felt I couldn’t control it. I felt that that student was deliberately trying to aggravate me. I tried to walk away, but he knew which buttons to press to push me over the edge.

“I actually hated myself when I used to behave like that. I used to think: I don’t want to be here [on earth] anymore. I felt I had no talent. I didn’t think I was smart or fit. It was a very dark space to be in.”

Santiago says he felt angry towards everyone around him and just wanted to hurt them. “I wanted them to feel what I was feeling. I was feeling lots of pain and it got to the point where I wanted to take my own life. I felt I couldn’t do anything right and thought this was the only way out.”

After attempting to take his own life, Santiago was diagnosed with anxiety and depression by a counsellor. He eventually changed schools and says he feels much happier at his new school, which provides more one-on-one learning. “I’m at a school where I feel on the same level as my teachers and I don’t feel like they’re overpowering me and trying to intimidate me. It makes me feel like an adult.

“All the students at my school have different problems. Some live away from their parents or their parents are in jail. That has put my situation into perspective. While we all have our own problems, we are all working towards getting our school certificates and improving our lives.”

Santiago says his football has also helped him get back on track. He is now refereeing the 6 to 12s side.

“I know I had a lot on my plate back then and thinking back I laugh because I’ve changed heaps. I didn’t like the Santiago who kept getting into trouble. I felt that side of me was very ruthless and didn’t think about any consequences.

"I have now learnt to bite my tongue and calm down. I have also developed a tougher skin and learnt that I have nothing to gain from my rages and aggression. I also feel so much better about myself because I feel accepted. I feel like I finally belong.”

* Not his real name as this is a true story and the name has been changed to protect the identity and privacy of the family