Reviews
[Don't] Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental Health, by Kelly Jensen
drpschmidt's review against another edition
4.0
A solid and diverse anthology of mental health/illness. A fantastic addition to any classroom.
shelfimprovement's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a huge advocate for the idea that we need to talk more openly about mental health. People with mental ilness need to know they matter and that they can get better. People without it need to know they can help. In the last year, this idea has become an increasingly important part of both my personal and professional life.
I try not to be a nudge and talk about my job on here, but I work for the children's book imprint of the American Psychological Association, and it's unbelievably rewarding to say that I can connect people to tools that can address mental health concerns. I wish my parents had these resources when I was a kid; maybe it would have saved me a lot of money in therapy bills as an adult.
But I'm also getting braver at telling people about my own mental health issues. I started writing about it here, which remains relatively distinct from my offline life, and talking with other friends I know are in therapy for similar things. But I recently stood up in front of all 600 APA co-workers and talked about it, I've started talking about it on Facebook, and I talk about it more with friends who aren't struggling themselves. It relieves some of the pressure off my own head, and I feel like it relieves some of the pressure off of others who needed permission to start their own conversations.
I hope so, anyway.
These kinds of conversations are going to save lives, so thank you to Kelly Jensen for this collection. You're helping to make it easier to talk about this stuff. Not every essay in the collection worked for me, but it's important that it's out there. It's going to work for someone.
One essay that did get to me so hard was Adam Silvera's piece on hope in the face of suicidal ideation. I recently wrote a review of his latest book that boiled down to "You know how to burrow beneath my skin in a way few others do and it's amazing." But his essay burrowed beneath my skin in a way that I wrote him an email to thank him for it. I've never written a fan letter in my life, but I wrote one about being depressed.
Guys, read this book. Give it to people you love, especially teens. Learn how to talk about this shit and it's going to help someone get better.
I try not to be a nudge and talk about my job on here, but I work for the children's book imprint of the American Psychological Association, and it's unbelievably rewarding to say that I can connect people to tools that can address mental health concerns. I wish my parents had these resources when I was a kid; maybe it would have saved me a lot of money in therapy bills as an adult.
But I'm also getting braver at telling people about my own mental health issues. I started writing about it here, which remains relatively distinct from my offline life, and talking with other friends I know are in therapy for similar things. But I recently stood up in front of all 600 APA co-workers and talked about it, I've started talking about it on Facebook, and I talk about it more with friends who aren't struggling themselves. It relieves some of the pressure off my own head, and I feel like it relieves some of the pressure off of others who needed permission to start their own conversations.
I hope so, anyway.
These kinds of conversations are going to save lives, so thank you to Kelly Jensen for this collection. You're helping to make it easier to talk about this stuff. Not every essay in the collection worked for me, but it's important that it's out there. It's going to work for someone.
One essay that did get to me so hard was Adam Silvera's piece on hope in the face of suicidal ideation. I recently wrote a review of his latest book that boiled down to "You know how to burrow beneath my skin in a way few others do and it's amazing." But his essay burrowed beneath my skin in a way that I wrote him an email to thank him for it. I've never written a fan letter in my life, but I wrote one about being depressed.
Guys, read this book. Give it to people you love, especially teens. Learn how to talk about this shit and it's going to help someone get better.
librarypatronus's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t have the correct words for how I felt about this - but I really appreciate these people sharing these impactful glimpses into their heads.
reptilianreader's review against another edition
5.0
i’ve been meaning to buy this book since it came out in 2018, but for some reason never got around to it. WELL I FINALLY GOT AROUND TO IT. i found it on Thriftbooks and they sent me an ARC even though it’s been out for two years.
redbirdwings's review against another edition
5.0
Recommended reading for everyone, especially if you're having trouble believing that you're worth protecting.
auroraboreal1004's review against another edition
One more of those books that just makes you feel seen and less alone, also I cried like a bitch in Adam Silvera's essay because his story hit a little too close to home and seeing an author I love talking about some of the same things i struggle with on a daily basis was what it took for me to break (I did cry a bit on other essays but none to the level of the ugly cry Adam brought out of me)
callmesword's review against another edition
It seems like such an interesting anthology and I'm honestly sad I cannot finish it (mental illness has a drastic impact on my life, therefore, mental health is generally a topic that I'm drawn to). But I reckon it just didn't hook me you know.
snowypineapples's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
morganemcb's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so important and full of hope. Thank you for showing me that I'm not alone.