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bookcheshirecat's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
“And that when we say “It Gets Better,” it doesn’t mean “Everything Gets Solved.” It means you will still carry the weight from when things weren’t good, but you will be stronger for it the next time you’re unhappy—and that time will come.”
➽ [Don't] Call Me Crazy is a fantastic anthology filled with stories about mental health! It's so important to have a YA nonfiction about this topic and I liked the variety of the stories. Each contributor has a different experience with mental health and their specific diagnosis, so we get to see different perspectives. I liked how intersectionality was discussed as well, especially in connection with disability, the LGBTQ community and people of color. Having another marginalization affects people's experience with mental illness and that was discussed here as well. I also liked different takes on coping styles and medication, as not every contributor deals with their illness in the same way. There are simply so many important discussions to be had, be it about discrimination at work or judgement from society for being a 'bad' mentally ill person. I definitely have to do a reread!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Transphobia, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Racism
michbeatty's review against another edition
5.0
Easy to read collection highlighting many different facets of mental illness. I look forward to using this with my students!
jentuttle04's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book insightful and a wonderful begining to my exploration of mental health. Some articles resonated more than others but I found value in all of them.
rfonta69801's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars
Since this is a non-fiction I am going to give this book a 2-sentence review
Loved it so much, I love short stories! This book was so inspiring!
Since this is a non-fiction I am going to give this book a 2-sentence review
Loved it so much, I love short stories! This book was so inspiring!
e_d_ivey's review against another edition
4.0
Real rating: 3.5
Such a great concept, and for the most part, well-executed. I wish they had sacrificed the pull of having name-recognizable celebrities, though. Some of the pieces by them lacked the nuance to meaningfully engage with the complicated subject. It was easy to notice the difference between writers and celebs who might not have spent as much time crafting their stories. I don’t say this to get down on them, but skill in conveying an experience with mental illness can make the difference between a reader’s ability to engage with the experience and benefit from it.
Such a great concept, and for the most part, well-executed. I wish they had sacrificed the pull of having name-recognizable celebrities, though. Some of the pieces by them lacked the nuance to meaningfully engage with the complicated subject. It was easy to notice the difference between writers and celebs who might not have spent as much time crafting their stories. I don’t say this to get down on them, but skill in conveying an experience with mental illness can make the difference between a reader’s ability to engage with the experience and benefit from it.
cemsreadingcorner's review
5.0
I thought this book was great. I’ve learned so much about mental illness. I’ve learned things that I didn’t know before. This is an eye-opening book. I now have a better understanding of mental disabilities. I recommend this book to those who would like to learn about mental illness and help themselves or those who live with it. It’s a good read! Happy reading!
raforall's review
4.0
I reviewed this for my ALA Annual 2018 Booklist Read ’N’ Rave Panel. Details: http://raforall.blogspot.com/2018/06/ra-for-all-roadshow-visited-ala-annual.html
readingthestars's review
3.0
It’s interesting to read about others’ experiences, but maybe would have liked to hear more in detail about what seeking help meant - like how to talk to a doctor about it and where that led them. But very insightful and important to read.
daisey's review against another edition
3.0
Although I did not relate directly to the experiences described in these essays, I think it is important to read widely in order to better understand the perspectives of other people in my world. This did give me a better understanding of what some people live with on a daily basis. I can see how reading one or various of the essays in this collection might be very helpful to someone who is struggling with their own mental health and is feeling alone in that struggle. It also might be very helpful to someone who is trying to be supportive of a friend or family member. The message of the importance of openness of communication in regards mental health and acceptance in finding the best way for each person to deal with their own mental health is clear.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.