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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Zahra Mulroy

Teen's powerful 'before and after' shows how mental health struggles impact appearance

With one in four people in the UK experiencing a mental health problem, there is every chance you know someone affected.

Or perhaps that person is in fact yourself, and you are all-too familiar with what it's like living, day in day out, with a disorder such as anxiety, or depression.

For Quenlin Blackwell, who has fought and overcome both depression and anxiety, the effects manifest themselves physically, too.

Quenlin, who has a huge online platform, shared a striking "before" and "after" of herself on Twitter.

(@quenblackwell/Twitter)

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"a mental health glo up. I'm so proud of myself dude. I literally LOOK healthier" she wrote.

The stark difference between the two photos, and her honesty inspired many of her followers to follow suit and share their "before" and "after".

Responding to Quenlin's original tweet, one wrote: "Literally mental health affects your appearance so much I can't even believe I used to look like that."

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It's understandable that your physical appearance is impacted by what's going on with you emotionally and mentally.

Depression and anxiety, for example, affect sleep and your relationship with food. Additionally, a person's self-esteem is often knocked as a result of a mental health disorder.

It's easy to see, therefore, when all of these factors are combined, how your mental health might show on your face.

If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

For 24 hour support, you can reach out to the Samaritans on 116 123.

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