One Direction helped millions through our formative years. This loss is devastating

OPINION: One Direction member Liam Payne has died.

As a former One Direction megafan, writing those words feels surreal and deeply upsetting.

Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan played an extremely important and formative part of my childhood and teenage years, and I know they meant so much to millions of other fans around the world.

READ MORE: Stars pay tribute to One Direction star Liam Payne who has died aged 31

It's hard to put into words just how deeply integral they were to my childhood and my generation. Growing up, One Direction and their fandom became my chosen family.

I made friends through their music and I found a community that was accepting and caring. They also provided an opportunity for my sister and I to bond.

The best memories we have together are us screaming our lungs out at a One Direction concert, or crying happy tears because we were gifted their second album on Christmas Day.

We watched those five boys grow up and we grew up with them. For millions of us, they were the most consistent part of our lives, they were our safe space.

READ MORE: Liam Payne's devastating final social media post

I struggled through very severe panic and anxiety disorders for six years, starting at the age of 12.

I attended therapy and counselling sessions to try and get a handle on my panic attacks, which would strike at least once a week.

I was taught all kinds of techniques, but the only thing that worked every single time without fail was putting on my favourite One Direction songs and just singing and dancing along.

On the day of my grandmother's funeral, I listened to One Direction on the car ride home, and again when my grandfather died.

They were always there for me, no matter what.

READ MORE: Liam Payne remembered as a 'gentle, beautiful soul' by Richard Wilkins after sudden death

And that experience wasn't just unique to me.

Those boys helped an entire generation of girls and women feel happy and confident, in a time when we were constantly told we weren't skinny enough, curvy enough or pretty enough – they made us feel like we were enough.

I never thought we would have to grieve a loss like this so early.

READ MORE: Liam Payne was just 16 when his life changed foreverREAD MORE: Inside boyband One Direction's mammoth successREAD MORE: Liam Payne's life in pictures

Liam was too young to die this way, and I can't begin to fathom how his former bandmates, family and friends are feeling right now.

I'm not saying he was perfect, but that doesn't mean we can't grieve the huge part of our childhood that's now gone forever.

I think the fact that millions of us are so upset by this news, although the band broke up years ago, proves just how much the band meant to us.

For the fans struggling right now, just remember our community is here for you, you were never on your own.

If you or someone you know needs immediate or mental health-related support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au.

In an emergency, call 000.