Six years ago Hollie Evans started a downward spiral of mental health problems that would culminate in her trying to take her own life. Thanks to the help of Childline she fought back from the brink of suicide, and is here to tell her tale.

A woman who was suicidal during her teens has opened up about her struggles to coincide with Children's Mental Health Week.

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Hollie Evans, from Dartford, suffered from mental health problems after a sudden panic attack in 2013.

She quickly became depressed, isolating herself from her friends and family. She dropped out of school and just stayed in bed.

“As a child I was always very anxious and worried about everything, but at the same time I was very confident,” the former Dartford Grammar pupil said.

“Things changed in April 2013, when I was in Year 10. I went on a school skiing trip to France, but on the first day everybody was being sick.

"I started worrying about getting ill because I knew if I was sick I would have to go to hospital to have my epilepsy medication put in via an intravenous line.

"I refused to eat and then I had a panic attack.”

That same year her mother, Alison, quit work to help look after Miss Evans, but she continued to have 'panic attacks and meltdowns', where she would pull her hair out and bang her head against the wall.

She was admitted to a London hospital in 2014 for six months where she showed signs of recovering.

However, the day before she was due to be discharged, she tried to take her own life.

The 21-year-old said: “The night before I was discharged I tried to take my own life.

"I’d had suicidal thoughts before but I’d never tried to do anything.

"They put me in a secure room and I asked if I could have my phone. That was the first time I called Childline.

"The night before I was discharged I tried to take my own life... if I hadn't called Childline there is a chance I wouldn't be here today" - Hollie Evans

“I was hyperventilating and crying. The counsellor started asking me about the things I like to do.

"I told her about my dog, my friends and what I was going to do when I was better.

"Afterwards I was able to talk calmly about what had happened.

"That chat stopped me from going back to my room and trying again.”

Months after working with counsellors at hospitals and ringing Childline when she felt low, the once struggling teenager began to recover.

She started talking to her family and even asked her mother if she could sit her GCSE’s - eventually walking away with two As in English and science, and three Bs in additional science, mathematics and Spanish.

Miss Evans now volunteers with Childline and helps the counsellors that helped her though her darkest period.

She is also studying for a diploma in applied arts at North Kent College.

Miss Evans said: “If I hadn’t called Childline there is a chance I wouldn’t be here today.

"In fact, all the progress I have made is thanks to other people’s support, including Childline.

"Talking to someone saved me and it could save you.”

• The Childline website has lots of information for anyone struggling with mental health issues or you can call 0800 1111.

Anyone in need of emotional support is urged to call the Samaritans on 116 123. Kent County Council's Release the Pressure campaign also urges people to call 0800 107 0160 where support is available from trained and experienced mental health staff, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.