An Okotoks woman is sharing her daughter's battle with mental illness through her new book.

Debbie Sands' daughter Amy battled with borderline personality disorder before she tragically passed away four years ago, and now Sands is creating conversation through her book A Moth to the Flame: the story of Amy's struggle with borderline personality disorder.

Sands says she was inspired by a project her daughter had been working on and another woman who has done something similar.

"A couple of years ago a friend approached us, she had seen a post on Facebook about borderline personality disorder... and she had written a book about her daughter who had the same disorder and did it for the same reasons of wanting to get the word out there and get help for people who have this problem," Sands says.

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by instability in emotions and impulses, particularly interpersonal relationships and self-image. Those with the disorder are said to be prone to self-destruction with high risk feelings and behaviours, which can pose problems to their families and themselves.

Sands says proceeds from the book will be donated to the McMan Youth and Family Centre in Calgary.

"It's a centre that looks after youth with problems and mental illness which is something they see a lot of," she says. "They now have two counsellors on staff who help people that are diagnosed or are suspected of having borderline personality disorder, so I want to help contribute money to that."

The launch for A Moth to the Flame is Saturday in Calgary at Shelf Life Books at 2 p.m.

A book signing will be held June 11 at the Okotoks Public Library from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The book will available for purchase from Shelf Life Books and Amazon.

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