Cara Bean

A truly thorough and up-to-date guide to mental health. The graphic novel format makes some heavy content digestible, and "Ms. Bean" serves as a knowledgeable, friendly guide, frequently sharing her own memories ("courtesy of my hippocampus, the memory-making brain part"). Useful reading for all ages but especially teens and those who work with them.

ToC: Intro, Stigma, The Brain, The Mind, Fear, Coping, Substance Use & Addiction, Depression, Suicide & Crisis Prevention, Getting Help, Glossary & Resources

Front endpaper provides a diagram of "The Parts of the Brain." Foreword.

Quotes/notes

RAS (reticular activating system): "I'm a complicated little noodle of awareness!" (46)

Thoughts can get you through a hard time:
I'm doing the best that I can.
Eventually things will change.
I'm learning as I go.
Things will work out over time.
Am I wrong about this? I am going to give it some more thought.
I need to take a rest.
I'm a lovable person.
I'm grateful for the good things in my life.
I will be okay.
Resilient thoughts help you calm down and get unstuck so you can continue moving forward. (55)

The power of breathing: Deep breathing is good for you because it can turn on the parasympathetic "rest and digest" system. (113)

Language matters: One simple way to be a mental health ally is to be more thoughtful with your words.
Don't Say / Do Say:
You almost gave me a panic attack! / You scared me!
You look so anorexic! / Say nothing. It's best to avoid commenting on someone else's body.
My OCD is coming out again! / I like things to be organized.
Yesterday I was feeling really depressed. / I was in a sad mood yesterday.
Quit being a psycho! / I need a break from this conversation.
So much swearing! Do you have Tourette's Syndrome? / Could you please stop swearing? (265)… (plus d'informations)