A comforting and useful resource for anyone who’s struggling emotionally and looking for help―from the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit that addresses the needs of those living with mental illness It can be extremely hard to figure out what’s going on in our own heads when we are suffering—when we feel alone and unworthy and can’t stop our self-critical inner voice. And it’s even more difficult to know where to go for answers. This book is a perfect first step. Here you’ll find clear, honest, reassuring information about all the most common mental illnesses and what you can do to find help and to practice self-care. Where to Start features: jargon-free information about all the most common mental illnesses, including a first self-assessment test; - tips on how to get professional help and how to talk about your mental health with friends and family; - essential tools, including handy worksheets and DIY mental health content; and - insightful, funny drawings by acclaimed cartoonist Gemma Correll. "The warm, conversational tone and straightforward, accessible language welcome readers to explore the text as they wish and establish autonomy over their wellness. Readers will find an abundance of beneficial information . . . A valuable, comprehensive manual for navigating mental health struggles." — Kirkus Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. Their programs and initiatives fulfill their mission of promoting mental health and preventing mental illness through advocacy, education, research, and services. MHA’s national office and its 200+ affiliates and associates around the country work every day to protect the rights and dignity of individuals with lived experience and ensure that peers and their voices are integrated into all areas of the organization. Gemma Correll is a cartoonist, writer, illustrator, and pug-owner. Her books include A Pug’s Guide to Etiquette, The Feminist Activity Book, and The Worrier’s Guide to Life. Her comics appear on The Nib and Tinyview Comics, and she has created cartoons for Hallmark, The New York Times, Evernote, and Mental Health America. Her merchandise is sold by Badge Bomb and Ohh Deer. CONTENTS HOW TO USE THIS BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 PART ONE: AM I OKAY? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Problems. . . . . . . . . 9 Mood Disorders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Anxiety Disorders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Disorders of Attention           . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Eating Disorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Psychosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Mental Health Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 PART TWO: TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Prepping to Talk to Others About Mental Health. . . . . . . . . . . 64 Talking to Parents and Caregivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Worksheet: Preparing to Share. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Worksheet: Sample Letter to Help Start a Conversation . . .84 PART THREE: GETTING PROFESSIONAL HELP . . . . . . . . . . .87 The What, Why, and How of Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Online Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Therapy Apps       . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104 Text Lines, Hotlines, and Warmlines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Medication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Hospitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 PART FOUR: DIY MENTAL HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 Getting Out of Bed and Struggling to Leave Your Room . . .123 Coping with Panic Attacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Battling Loneliness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Dealing with Self-Hate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Dealing with Suicidal Thinking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Worksheet: Feeling Safe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .