A TEENAGE Marlborough author says writing her book about a children's guide to mental health was empowering after she herself has battled with anxiety and anorexia for years.

Hundreds of copies of former St John's pupil Emily Palmer's debut book: Scrambled Heads - A Children's Guide to Mental Health, have been sold so far, much to her delight.

The inspiration behind the book stemmed from the 18-year-old's own experiences with mental health and how she wanted to encourage conversations on such an important topic.

"It is very exciting to be able to walk into a shop and see my book on the shelves, it feels great to know I have created something that could really help people," said Emily.

"I want to help create a world where mental health is discussed with children, and we can talk in more than whispers about our experiences.

"We should be proud to talk of our achievements and successes in battling something that can take away so much.

"I remember reading a book about visiting hospital when you are poorly. However when I started to experience anxiety and anorexia nervosa in my early teenage years, there was nothing to explain what would happen to you as a patient or who you could talk to.

"Writing the book has actually helpful and empowering in my recovery, because it helped me become more comfortable in talking about what I had been through and I was able to turn a lot of negative experiences into something that could really help people."

While writing Scrambled Heads, Emily worked with teachers, psychiatrists, parents, children and mental health patients to make sure her book was accurate and easy to understand - complete with a positive message.

Emily, who plans on writing again in years to come, also drew the simple, yet fun illustrations using the egg motif.

"I would love to write more in the future, I think books are an excellent tool for bringing people together," said Emily, who is currently at Haddon Training doing a Business Administration Apprenticeship.

"I am really pleased with the final product, there were lots of difficult decisions to make before sending it off to be published, but I am so proud of the result.

"I was so surprised to see it selling in so many different places. It has sold in the UK and Ireland, Canada, The USA and Australia."

Children's mental health charity, YoungMinds, are receiving 10 per cent of profits from her book, which can be bought from the White Horse Bookshop, High Street, for £5.99 or it is available on Amazon.