A film-making student from Bath who suffered from mental health problems as a teenager has gone on to win a national award for his work.
Henry Gale has beaten off competition from across the country to pick up the Outstanding BTEC Media Student of the Year Award in the 2013 National BTEC Awards.
He also came second in the overall award of National Outstanding Student of the Year.
The 21-year-old had a difficult start to his higher education as, at the start of his A levels, aged just 17, he was diagnosed with psychosis and spent nearly a year in hospital.
However, once he was discharged, he was determined to return to his studies and has just completed a Level 3 extended diploma in creative media productions at the City of Bath College.
Henry, who has been offered an unconditional place to study for a BA in film production at Arts University Bournemouth, said: "It's amazing this has happened, I'm so pleased, my life has changed so much in just a few years.
"It's great my achievement has been recognised. Now I want to do what I can to help others in similar situations."
As part of his course, Henry produced an animation called Psychosis is Nothing like a Badger, which has been picked up by several national charities.
He was also asked to write a blog about his experiences by the charity Time to Change.
Henry said: "People's perception of mental illness is negative.
"There is a lot of misinformation and a lot of stigma and stereotypes attached to mental illness."
The college's media course coordinator James Purslow said: "Henry is an outstanding student with an innate sense of creativity and storytelling.
"I'm over the moon he's won; it's brilliant and thoroughly well-deserved."
