A YOUNG girl who was aided by an Asda worker after suffering a seizure on the street has thanked the woman who came to the rescue.

Paige Smith, 16, first started having seizures three years ago after suffering with anxiety.

When her anxiety peaks, she is more likely to have seizures, and they gradually got worse as she approached the end of secondary school.

Natalie Smith, Paige’s mum and a police officer, said: “It’s very scary for us, and it’s very emotional when she comes out of it because she’s realised that she’s had it.”

Talk - Paige urges people to talk about their mental health and reach out for support. Talk - Paige urges people to talk about their mental health and reach out for support. (Image: Natalie Smith)

Paige went out for a walk two weeks ago when she suffered a seizure and collapsed on the street.

A passing cyclist helped protect her head, and Asda worker Lynsey Patten rushed to her aid and contacted her parents.

Paige said: “I want to say a massive thank you to Lynsey because if she wasn’t there, I probably wouldn’t have got the help I needed.

“It was really nice to see her on the front page last week, because it gave her the recognition she deserves.”

Natalie added: “It massively helped me with my anxiety levels to know Lynsey and the cyclist were there.

“It’s hard for us to deal with, but when people see it unless they know about it their instant reaction is fear.”

Paige said she prefers people to “remain calm and just be there” with her while waiting for the seizure to pass, as she doesn’t require hospital treatment for her seizures.

Support - Lynsey Patten rushed to Paige's aid after seeing her collapse. Support - Lynsey Patten rushed to Paige's aid after seeing her collapse. (Image: Asda)

Her dad Colin Smith, a teacher at Chatten Free School, said: “For all of us, it’s about raising awareness for mental health and anxiety, and what she’s going through and what a lot of kids her age are going through.

“It’s about recognising that it is affecting kids in a lot of different ways, and you should talk about it no matter how many times it might get brushed off.

“You could speak to 100 people, and one might listen, and that one might be the difference.”

Paige added: “Talk about your problems, even if it’s hard.”

Paige has found support after being referred by a GP to CAMHS, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, which can be found at www.youngminds.org.uk

Another service is www.mind.org.uk. You can also call HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 or the Samaritans on 116 123.