Empathy = Turtles All the Way Down

This week, I read Turtles All the Way Down by John Green, and it left me with a profound sense of understanding, empathy, love and appreciation. I came across this book while browsing Bill Gates's list of recommended reads (here’s the link if you’d like to explore his suggestions).

This book promotes mental health awareness, aligning with World Mental Health Day on October 10th, a day dedicated to highlighting global mental health challenges.

In an interview with Time, Green said, “One of the main things I wanted to do in the book was to get at how isolating it can be to live with mental illness and also how difficult it can be for the people who are around you because you’re so isolated.”

I found this book so relatable and eye-opening, especially when it comes to mental health- a topic that’s becoming more widely recognized, though many still struggle to understand it fully. For me, it was a relatable story because I deal with much anxiety, and it’s tough to explain what it feels like to the people around you. It also helps me understand better the various people in my life who are suffering with their mental health.

As usual, John Green wrote this novel beautifully, sharing raw feelings and reality, as life is a roller coaster with turtles all the way down. This book is a must-read, easy to understand and truly sticks with you in your heart and mind.?

I want to take this opportunity to list three resources that can help you or a friend to seek help if you are struggling with some mental health condition; you are not alone.

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1. 310Mental Health Support: Call?310-6789?for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health

2. BounceBack ??is a free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 13+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry.

3. BetterHelp Cost effective online therapy

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See this link for more provincial resources: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-mental-health-supports

Awareness, acceptance and perseverance are the three things I learned from this book.

Once again, thank you for reading :)

And please share, comment and like I much appreciate all your support!

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