Please welcome first-time contributor Anna Maria, a teenage photographer from a small village in central England. Anna was diagnosed with severe Anxiety and Depression at the age of 18, after being exposed to child abuse and bullying, as well as other distressing struggles later on in life. Anna is fighting very hard to overcome her mental illness with the help of her amazing partner, therapy, and a whole lot of patience and faith.

About this photo: “This photo portrays what anxiety and depression feel like. It is a dark and lonely experience. At times you feel empty. Other times, you feel like you are being choked by so many overwhelming feelings. At times you can feel it emanating from you and you can’t control it. But then the light shines upon you. You realise “Yes. There is a silver lining”. You realise that if you try hard enough, if you push yourself as far as you can go, you are very capable of getting better. This photograph reminds me that no matter how dark it gets, there is always a way out to the surface – as long as you are prepared to reach for it.”

**Visit Broken Light’s main gallery here ▸ Now a 501(c)3 non-profit! Please donate here.

*Facebook & Twitter @BrokenLighCo & @DanielleHark. Follow for e-mail notifications.