Hello Me, It’s You: A Review

Hello Me, It’s You edited by Hannah Todd

My Rating: 5 stars!

Published: October 10th, 2016

Recieved: Netgalley provided me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review

Purchase: Amazon UK

“Keep smiling and being you. Don’t let the world change you”
Hello Me, it’s You is a collection of letters by young adults aged 17-24 about their experiences with mental health issues. The letters are written to their 16-year-old selves, giving beautifully honest advice, insight and encouragement for all that lays ahead of them.
This book was produced by the Hello Me, it’s You charity, set up by the editor, Hannah. 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.
Trigger warning: Due to it’s 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.

Musings: 

This book is beautiful. This book is necessary. This book needs to be read. 

One of the most intimate things you can do is write a letter. There something about it that pushes you to be honest and real no matter how hard it is. That honesty is brought out further when you write a letter to yourself. Reading others intimate moments is a glimpse into their soul. Their struggles scared them. Years past in pain. Yet the brightest message is life is well worth living. 

Mental health is something that so many people deal with every day of their lives. It is not something that is rare. At one point or another, I have to say that almost everyone experiences the pain of it during their lifetimes. This honest and hopeful book of letters is one of the most beautiful ways I have ever seen anyone speak about its hardships. 

Hope, knowledge that you were once hurting more then you thought your soul could take, but then realizing that the next day came and went and you are going to be ok. Friendships, love, family, all relationships are hard. Every single day is a day to learn and grow. All this and so much more is hidden in these sad and happy pages. 

There is always good to look forward to. Good and bad exists for you to find out what kind of person you wish to be. Life is full of all kinds of moments, it is how you choose to react to it that defines who you are. There is always light. 

Thank you all for reading! If you are struggling with emotional pain or know someone who is please read this book and do all you can to find help. This book is hard, but it is a good hard, because it has the ingredients necessary to help you and others to heal. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. If you are ever struggling and need someone to talk to, let me know. If anything, I know pain, but I also know hope and healing too. Know you are not alone. Dear reader, you are loved, you are special, and you are worth it. 

-Till next time!