A DARWEN teenager is one of three people fronting a worldwide campaign with social media site Instagram to raise awareness of mental illness.

Sacha Justine Cuddy was hospitalised after developing Anorexia Nervosa when she was 16.

The 18-year-old has been documenting the ups and downs of her road to recovery on Instagram and was one of three selected to feature in a documentary-style video as part of the photo-sharing’s #HereForYou campaign.

The campaign was launched to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week and aims to inspire more people to share their mental health story.

Sacha, a former Darwen Aldridge Academy student, spent more than six months in a specialist unit at the Priory Hospital where she was treated for severe Anorexia, OCD, depression and anxiety.

She described the disease as ‘life destroying, horrific and scary’ and said she is still fighting the voices in her head.

Sacha said: “When I was really unwell I would look at the recovery community on Instagram and think I would never be like them and get to the stage when I could talk about my struggles.

“But I like to write and found I could relate and connect to people on there.

“It is about making Instagram a safer and more comfortable place to talk about our struggles."

In the video, which has been shared millions of times and featured on Good Morning America, Sacha explains that she has always suffered with mental health problems and wants to be an advocate.

“Instagram is my diary. I love writing and this is about a raw recovery,” she said.

“It is not filtered. I will not always say ‘love your body’. I will say it is okay not to love every part of yourself and that is not abnormal.

“It is nice to be able to speak to someone that has the same problem as you. I get lots of messages every single day. I am inspiring people which is so nice.”

Will Gardner, CEO, Childnet, which campaigns to make the internet a safe place for youngsters, said: “We know young people are turning to the internet for advice and support about mental health and wellbeing and they are connecting with online communities who have experienced similar things.”

Follow Sacha on Instagram @thetremblingofaleaf.