A book everyone should read

Explains the mental health crisis in an accessible way. Balance of sad, serious and funny and lighthearted. Worth a listen / read

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Amazing

Deeply moving and powerfully written. This book is so needed and really will save lives

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Speechless at the same as knowing what to say now

This is amazing Ben. You have helped so many people and do Sam proud every day. Been following you for years. Thank you for this.

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Everyone needs to listen to this

A very worthwhile read. Not an easy listen in parts. My heart goes out to this family and others affected by suicide

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Statistically saddening but a book full of hope for change

I have personal experience in finding my own dad after he had taken his own life. We are coming up to the 10 year anniversary and I have only just started therapy because of it.

Read this book in 3 days and it’s given me hope that changes will be made because there are people like Ben that care enough to be honest and open about suicide. The stats are terrifying I just hope more people read this book and feel touched and affected. Not just those of us with mental health issues or those that have been affected by suicide.

This book is an honest account of fear, sadness, honesty, humour and a million other emotions that come with all types of mental Illness/suicide. Although it at times took me back to my own personal nightmare and made my heart race with anxiety it also made me feel like I’m not alone, that people are championing this cause and hopeful for a better future especially for our children.

Good job 17 year old and future Ben. You should be so proud of yourself 🥰

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3 people found this helpful

A vital call to action about mental health

This is such an important book at a time when so much is being SAID about mental health, but not enough is being DONE. Having been affected by some of the issues covered in the book myself, it was very difficult to listen to in places, with tears running down my face, but Ben's terrible humour does lighten the mood every so often!

The tragedy of his brother's suicide has led Ben to campaign for changes in the way mental health is addressed by teachers and government, and also by people being open with, and talking to, each other. Men are especially bad at doing this - we don't like appearing vulnerable, and just bottle things up, too embarrassed to admit our need for help. Others don't know how best to approach the person in need, so nothing happens to make anything better.

This is a very open account of what happened, and how Ben and others acted, felt and reacted at different stages, and how little help was available for the emotional and mental results. It is surprising (and encouraging) how common some of the problems and reactions are - we are not alone in some of these experiences, yet anyone going through it probably thinks they are.

Ben has used his sad experience to start conversations and campaigns to bring these issues to the attention of people who need help themselves, or could make a difference from their positions of authority. In the book (and PDF), he lists various resources, and provides useful ideas for helping others and reaching out to people. Even our choice of words at these times can make such a difference, and his suggestions make so much sense. If we need help ourselves, or want to offer help to or just a listening ear to others, that first communication is so important, and can be so scary!

I admire Ben's courage in writing this book - and narrating the audiobook. How on earth did he get manage to get through reading it out loud? Read or listen to this book, and encourage others to do the same, but USE the knowledge you gain to help others. It will make you laugh (or cringe) and cry, but hopefully it will encourage you to DO something. Bravo, Ben!

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1 person found this helpful