Reasons to stay Alive- Matt Haig 5*

I read this book for two main reasons. One was that I had heard so much about it
along with the excellent reviews and two was that I had a diagnosis a year ago that
shook my world to the core. Whether you suffer from any mental health issue, or
know someone that does, this book is a wonderful insight into the world of sufferers
and what they have to cope with. Matt mainly had depression but as he explains
this is rarely, although occasionally , a sole diagnosis. From feeling at rock bottom to
eventually seeing just a little light at the end of that famous tunnel to people
believing that to“pull yourself together” is all that you need. This is so well
described and it made me realise things that I had thought in the past that
were really not normal that I should have realised that there was an issue
under the surface. Reading was (and is) Matt’s escape from his darkness and
this also resonated. To (sometimes, try and) immerse yourself in  a book can
take your brain to a different plain and gives relief from the trouble that you
see around you. In easy digestible chapters, I would recommend this book to
anyone that has the slightest interest in mental health. Although the curtains
are slowly being opened on this topic there is still much Ignorance and
negativity- as Matt lists he had more “sympathy” when having back ache than
having depression.”You are the observer of your mind not it’s victim”.
 A very worthwhile read.