Amy Crerar, 20

Over the past five years, I have battled anorexia, anxiety and depression, all of which chased me down a path I thought I would never come back from. Aged 15, I was diagnosed with anorexia and admitted to hospital at a critically low weight. I would land myself there another four times between 2013 and 2015, attempting to take my life more than once.

The negative rhythm of my thoughts became my primary focus, leaving me with little energy or motivation to interact with the outside world. I was rarely able to attend school, had isolated myself from my nearest and dearest and most of my time was spent criticising myself for the things I could not do or the person I could not be.

A year ago, with the support of a few beautiful people, I made the decision to embark on a journey of healing. My motivation to change came when the motivation to stay the same went away.

Little by little, I felt myself warming to the possibility of this new life. Spending time with people I had shut out, pushing myself into uncomfortable “growth” situations, talking honestly with my therapist, appreciating the small, beautiful things — these have all helped me get to the place that I find myself today.

So keep going. Pause, breathe, cry, do what you need to do — just do not give up. If there is a life beyond what I could see for myself, then there is definitely one for you, too.