Tamsin’s story

Tamsin first contacted Childline at the age of 14. Thanks to your support, Childline helped her recover from low self-esteem and an eating disorder to become the bright and confident person she is today.

Where it all began

I grew up as an only child, just me, Mum, and Dad. I was a very happy child, and I loved anything creative at school –drawing, painting, things like that.

When I was about 14, I think my mental health started getting worse. I was struggling with low self-esteem and body image, and it all started weighing me down.

I also had a hard time during my GCSE exams, with lots of pressure on myself to achieve high grades. That was when my relationship with food got bad.

My eating disorder happened very fast. Something in my brain just suddenly stopped me from eating.

I don’t know what started it, but I do think social media played a part. It was so easy to stumble upon content that made me feel worse.

At this point I was barely eating. I forced myself to go to college, but I still didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t want to burden my family with it or worry them – so I just didn’t say anything.

Contacting Childline

That’s when I started to reach out to Childline. I’d speak to them pretty much every night on their online chat.

I wanted to feel like someone cared. Since my family didn’t know, they couldn’t really be there for me.

Speaking to Childline was good because it was anonymous. I could let out how I was really feeling without worrying about burdening my family. They gave me good advice too. It went on for two or three months.

My Childline advisor understood why I was scared to tell my family, but they encouraged me to talk to a friend instead – and when I did, she encouraged me to get help.

Less than a month later, I was admitted to an in-patient unit 100 miles away from home. It was hard. But I started pushing myself, after thinking, ‘it really can’t get any worse than this.’

That was when things started to change.

An exciting new chapter

When I was discharged, I met a new friend who was also in recovery. She made me get out and do things.

I started meeting friends again and having fun. The two of us went on holiday together, she really pushed me to move forward.

And when I saw a traineeship job come up –a six-month supportive scheme for people with mental health issues – I applied and got the job.

It was like a light switch. I knew I couldn’t go to work feeling like this, so I really worked on myself.

When the scheme ended, I was offered a permanent role as a junior filmmaker, which was just amazing. I moved to London too, and I was so proud of myself for pushing myself out of my comfort zone to create a new network of friends.

Now, I’m a different person. I feel like me again. I definitely wouldn’t have the life I have today if it wasn’t for Childline’s support! I get to work on the creative things I’ve always enjoyed. And I have a great circle of people around me who make me feel happy.

I feel like I’ve gone full circle with my depression. I still have bad days, but nothing like it used to be. I’m so grateful for my job, and for Childline helping me out in such a way.

If it wasn’t for Childline, things would have gotten a lot worse. I never would have told that friend, received any support, or made it to where I am now. I will never forget the help they gave me!