Memoir

Reasons to Stay Alive

Matt Haig

Cover of Reasons to Stay Alive
Reasons to Stay Alive
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Memoir#mental health#hope

Reasons to Stay Alive

Portrait of Matt Haig
Written byMatt Haig

At 24, Matt Haig's world fell apart under severe depression and anxiety. This short, honest book tells how he slowly recovered, with the help of reading, writing and the people who loved him. It's a book of hope for anyone who is struggling.

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  • Published2015
  • GenreMemoir
  • Key ideas5
  • Summary1 min read

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  1. 01Depression lies

    It tells you things will never get better. Haig's own life shows that they can.

  2. 02Recovery isn't a straight line

    There are good days and bad days. Small steps still count.

  3. 03Talk about it

    Speaking openly about mental illness helps reduce shame and loneliness.

  4. 04Books and words can help

    Reading and writing gave Haig ways to understand and get through his feelings.

  5. 05Find your reasons

    Small things — love, kindness, a good book, the sky — can be reasons to keep going.

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Depression lies

It tells you things will never get better. Haig's own life shows that they can. Pick one small way to put this into practice before tonight.

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Photos via Wikimedia Commons — Matt Haig: JaceMerlyn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons