Keep smiling and being you. Don’t let the world change you.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Genre: Young Adult… Nonfiction?

Published: October 10th, 2016

This is a review for the COYER challenge!

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, realizing 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. (Goodreads)

I think this is a wonderful idea.

Basically, a bunch of young adults (in the literal sense of the word) ages 17-24 who have mental illnesses were asked to write a letter to their 16-year-old selves.

Understandably, a lot of the letters were much the same.

Some said life was so much better, some said they were just getting started on the road to recovery but it was finally getting better, some just said that life would not always be terrible and it would get better. It was uplifting, but although I enjoyed reading the book, at times I felt like the actual writing would simply be more valuable to the people writing them. I don’t know this person’s dad who abused them or screamed at them in a public place because he had bipolar disorder. So although I feel for them and I hate to think that happened, I don’t really know anything about them and I don’t really get a chance to, because it is all anonymous and all you get is this short little letter.

One of the letters was a little off, but I almost liked it more.

The person probably did not exactly understand what they were supposed to be writing about, because it seemed to me more that they were writing more to the reader than to their past self. Unfortunately, I think I actually liked this letter the best, although I did like the others quite a bit. I just felt that as the letters were not intended for me (the reader) or really related to me in any way or explained in any context, they were not quite as valuable or touching as they would be to the people who know the authors personally.

In any case, this little book of letters was still quite sweet and touching.

I did have my favorites, and I loved the little quotes right before each letter; they were beautiful and I felt like they really added to the wonderful feel of the book.

Overall, this was a deep, yet short and quick read.

I would recommend it for something quick to read, or if you’re feeling like you’ll have a hard time focusing on the book, as each little letter is a miniature story in itself.

Have any of you read this book? Plan to? Thoughts? Let me know in the comments down below, I’d love to hear from you!

Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Lots of Love, Amy ❤