Beautiful, smart and popular, 17-year-old Hannah Modra seemed a picture of success to all who knew her.
But the Melbourne school girl was hiding a secret illness within the pages of her diary — an illness that ultimately took her life.
After a sudden onset of depression, the bubbly Year 12 prefect at Mount Waverley Secondary College committed suicide in January, shocking her family and friends.
"Hannah was a beautiful, successful, delightful girl," father Mark Modra told ABC's Australian Story.
"It just seemed too sad and unbelievable that such a thing could happen to someone so happy, beautiful, friendly and helpful."
Mr Modra and his wife Ellen are speaking out about their daughter's tragic death to raise awareness about depression.
"We could have chosen to try and keep the whole thing quiet, to cover it up with some story that might have covered up the awful truth, but from very early on we decided that there was nothing for us to be ashamed of," Mr Modra said.
Hannah wrote about suffering from depression in her diary, but admitted "fear of embarrassment and pride are keeping me both from medication and counsellors".
In a diary entry on the day of her death, Hannah wrote: "Fainted at school today, at the front of the whole assembly.
"Most people managed to finish all their homework ... I feel like I can't do anything ... I don't want to bring down my whole school score, is it just because I'm tired?
"It wouldn't (be) that hard just to end it all."
Hannah's mother Ellen told Australian Story her daughter's biggest mistake had been to try and fight her depression on her own.
"She had no idea she could die from this illness and she thought she could get through it without bothering anybody."
The full story airs on Australian Story tonight at 8pm.
If you need support or information about suicide prevention contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).
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