AN INVERCLYDE Academy pupil is in the frame for a national art award – as she puts people in the picture about mental health.

Erin Lang has produced a thought-provoking short story about the impact of post traumatic stress disorder.

She is now in with a chance of winning the John Byrne Award, and her work will be part of an exhibition.

Erin, left, drew on her own life as the daughter of a soldier to bring attention to the huge stigma surrounding mental health.

Now the 17-year-old plans to put herself on the frontline when she leaves school – as she looks to a career as a mental health nurse.

Erin, of Sandpiper Lane in Greenock, said: “I am feeling very excited about being part of such a massive art exhibition.

“I love being creative and love to write. I wanted to write about something that I feel passionate about. The competition popped up on Facebook and I thought I’d give it a go. I had written the short story for my Advanced Higher English.”

The sixth year pupil was brought up in Germany where her dad Charlie serves as a staff sergeant in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Her piece tells the story of a soldier who is suffering from post traumatic stress.

She said: “There is such a stigma attached to mental health. It helped because I was brought up in the Armed Forces and I could use that.”

Erin will now head to the competition final with her mum Lynn and her dad Charlie to see her work displayed alongside the others taking part in the competition.

She added: “I have never been to an exhibition before.

“I am looking forward to seeing my work displayed.”

When Erin finishes school she is planning to study mental health nursing at the West of Scotland University.

She said: “I had looked at psychology because I was interested in mental health but I want to do something on the front line to care for people and learn about it.”

Erin moved to Greenock to stay with her gran because her school in Germany closed and has never looked back.

She said: “I love it so much I have stayed ever since. I love Inverclyde Academy and I have great friends.”

Erin’s English teacher Brian Connell say he is delighted to see her doing so well.

He said: “Erin is so creative and could definitely go on to look at writing. I’ve taught her for three years and it is lovely to see her work develop. I use Erin’s work as an example to others of how to produce creative writing.”