Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And originally I was going to write a story, but I'm watching a film whilst I was thinking about it, and I decided to write about mental health instead.
Mental Health is something that has been around for, for as long as I can remember. Even longer. But it's only just been introduced in the novels that we're all reading. Just recently, I feel like it's becoming less of a taboo subjects, because they're being introduced into stories.
But we've still got a long way to go.
Because there's a reason why suicide is the second highest killer in males ranging from 15-29. It's because, everybody feels as if they're the only person to feel this way. Because males are told that their feelings aren't masculine, so they shouldn't share how they're feeling, afraid that they'll be seen as weak.
Which is why I feel like books should include characters that have mental health. Not just depression and anxiety, but BPD, BDD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, every mental health problem out there. We need to normalise talking about them, and show people where they can reach out to, to get the help that they need, without being ashamed.
Look, I'm not here to talk about what I want. It would be fantastic to say it and make it so. But that's not going to happen.
For me, books are about messages. About communicating a message. And within the characters, we see ourselves. We learn about who we want to be through the characters that we read and relate to, which is why I feel like it's so important to talk about mental illness in books.
I'm starting to see it in different mediums. In musicals like Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers and Waitress, mental illness is a theme in all three. There was a series', not too long ago, about people in the spotlight, opening up about their mental health journeys. TV shows/movies on Netflix.
Here are some books that contain mental health, to name a few:
-The Light Between Worlds, by Laura Weymouth
(trigger warnings: depression, suicidal thoughts)
-Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell
(trigger warning: addiction)
-All the Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven
(trigger warning: suicide, depression.)
And finally, if you are struggling, don't hesitate to reach out for help. You're not alone. And, I know it sounds cliché but, it will get better.
Samaritans: 116 123 (open 24 hours, free to call)
https://www.samaritans.org/
Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393 (Monday-Friday 9-6)
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/
Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line: 0300 5000 927 (Monday-Friday 9-4.30)
http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice
See you all on Monday.
-Abi xxxxxx
But we've still got a long way to go.
Because there's a reason why suicide is the second highest killer in males ranging from 15-29. It's because, everybody feels as if they're the only person to feel this way. Because males are told that their feelings aren't masculine, so they shouldn't share how they're feeling, afraid that they'll be seen as weak.
Which is why I feel like books should include characters that have mental health. Not just depression and anxiety, but BPD, BDD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, every mental health problem out there. We need to normalise talking about them, and show people where they can reach out to, to get the help that they need, without being ashamed.
Look, I'm not here to talk about what I want. It would be fantastic to say it and make it so. But that's not going to happen.
For me, books are about messages. About communicating a message. And within the characters, we see ourselves. We learn about who we want to be through the characters that we read and relate to, which is why I feel like it's so important to talk about mental illness in books.
I'm starting to see it in different mediums. In musicals like Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers and Waitress, mental illness is a theme in all three. There was a series', not too long ago, about people in the spotlight, opening up about their mental health journeys. TV shows/movies on Netflix.
Here are some books that contain mental health, to name a few:
-The Light Between Worlds, by Laura Weymouth
(trigger warnings: depression, suicidal thoughts)
-Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell
(trigger warning: addiction)
-All the Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven
(trigger warning: suicide, depression.)
And finally, if you are struggling, don't hesitate to reach out for help. You're not alone. And, I know it sounds cliché but, it will get better.
Samaritans: 116 123 (open 24 hours, free to call)
https://www.samaritans.org/
Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393 (Monday-Friday 9-6)
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/
Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line: 0300 5000 927 (Monday-Friday 9-4.30)
http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice
See you all on Monday.
-Abi xxxxxx
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