A young woman has written a book to raise money for a charity she credits with saving her life.

Hollie Evans spent 18 months in hospital after experiencing mental health problems as a teenager.

The 20-year-old, who has been diagnosed with the extremely rare condition, pervasive arousal withdrawal syndrome, rang Childline for support during her darkest moments.

Hollie, who also suffers with epilepsy, was left unable to cope with daily life by the severe psychiatric disorder, characterised by a refusal to eat, drink, walk or talk.

The Dartford resident is now raising awareness of mental health problems, and aims to present them in a more positive light.

The keen photographer complied the book, What Mental Looks Like, using pictures of young women affected by similar issues, alongside information about their experience of dealing with a mental illness.

Proceeds from the book, which has already sold more than 100 copies, will go to Childline, in honour of the help Hollie received.

She said: "I wanted to use photography to show that you can't always see mental health problems.

"When I was in hospital I rang Childline, and they saved my life.

"The first time I called them, I sat there and they calmed me down, and in the end I called them every couple of weeks.

"They helped me a lot, and even when I was in hospital, I needed them.

"I wanted to use photography to show that you can't always see mental health problems" - Hollie Evans

"Any money that can help them answer as many calls as possible would be a positive."

Hollie, who currently volunteers weekly for an after-school club at The Brent primary school in Dartford, first became ill whilst at secondary school.

She started experiencing problems whilst in Year 10, and had dropped out altogether by Year 11, shortly before her GCSE exams.

After leaving school, Hollie spent six months at The Maudsley Hospital in south London, but was discharged after doctors failed to diagnose her illness.

Her problems continued, and she was then admitted to Woodland House, an adolescent unit in Staplehurst, before being transferred to Ellern Mede treatment centre in north London.

Hollie described the specialist unit as "wonderful", adding "I can't thank them enough".

Whilst she is still recovering, she has now been able to complete the GCSEs she was pulled away from.

To purchase the book, visit Hollie's photography page at https://bit.ly/2ruGRtW