HELLO ME, IT'S YOU
Four out of Five Stars - Would Recommend
Trigger warning: Due to its nature, the content of this book may be triggering. Contains personal experiences of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, trichotillomania and other mental health issues, as well as issues such as assault.
The compilation of letters from young adults to their 16 year old selves in HELLO ME, IT’S YOU is an honest look into the loneliness of mental illness. I believe readers will be able to connect with at least one of the writers, and more likely, with a number of them.
I, personally, suffer with a number of disorders mentioned in the letters. While I am 30 years past my 16 year old self, I would certainly have benefitted from a letter from myself to cheer me on, encourage me to get the help that I so desperately needed, and to reassure myself that I was going to be okay.
This book was produced by the Hello Me, it’s You Charity, set up by the editor, Hannah Todd. Hannah was diagnosed with depression and anxiety whilst at university and found comfort in talking to friends about their experiences, realising she was not alone in her situation. This inspired the idea for the charity and book. Through the creation of materials such as this, the charity aims to provide reassurance for young adults (and their families) who are experiencing mental health issues and give a voice to young adults on such an important topic. The result of that will hopefully be a reduction in the negative stigma surrounding mental health and an increase in awareness of young people’s experiences. All profits go the Hello Me, It’s You charity, for the production of future supportive books.
I think that along with helping the Hello Me, It’s You Charity gain exposure, this compilation book will encourage young adults facing mental health challenges to seek what they need – HELP. In addition, I think it will help to lessen the stigma that having these challenges presents. If we can all learn to be more gentle with ourselves, and learn that we are not alone in these troubles, we can perhaps begin to move the mountain of stigma that rests upon us that carry the weight of mental illness. Mental illness is a monster that weighs heavily upon us, who have less coping mechanisms by definition.
If you are the parent, relative, or friend of a teenager or young adult, please gift them with HELLO ME, IT’S YOU. If they are dealing with issues, this compilation may help them find their way out of their darkness. If they are not personally dealing with mental health issues, this book can teach them what their friends may be experiencing, opening their minds to the pain just outside of their reach.