REVIEW | WHY EVERYONE SHOULD READ REASONS TO STAY ALIVE BY MATT HAIG

When I first started reading Matt Haig's Reasons to Stay Alive, I instantly thought 'why haven't I read this sooner?' I've often felt describing and explaining depression to friends and family who have not experienced it difficult, especially when everyone experiences it differently. Matt Haig's memoir gives his own account of his journey with depression and it felt extremely refreshing to read. His clarity in describing when he came close to ending his life and his life after that moment resonates with those who have been at their lowest point and acts as a way in for those who want to reach out. 

A memoir to build awareness and clarity behind depression's befuddling thoughts, but more importantly Reasons to Stay Alive is an enlightening read to reawaken hope deep inside ourselves.

He expresses having a mental breakdown in his mid twenties and his battle with depression for three years leaving him bed bound. But chapters of his memoir are also snippets of self-help, small steps to rise out of depression's hole.

Haig reveals the hardships of going through mental illness and whilst they are hard hitting, his overarching message is the light at the end of the tunnel, the calm after the storm and not locking depression away in a cupboard or fighting it head on, but to acknowledge its presence. He continues to voice how you can deal with this roaring fire in your own mind and find a peaceful haven inside yourself whilst doing things you love. It's a comforting reassurance from Haig to see how a man has overcome his darkest moments and found sanctuary in marriage, parenthood and his fragile peace in himself. His interior monologue references figures from Sylvia Plath to Shakespeare, highlighting the taboos of clinical depression in men and how it can be misinterpreted and even disregarded by outsiders, even if they are close to you.

That's why I feel everyone should read this memoir. Whether you have depression or not, it's an insight into how you can deal with the black dog, reasons behind it and ways to have a brighter perspective. It sheds light on a topic that shouldn't be stigmatised, especially for men and it's a push forward to speak up about it.

What really did resonate with me most about the memoir was the fact his depression came on during a time in his life where he had got to the next stepping stone and didn't know what to do. For many, including me it's right after university and you have so many routes and opportunities in front of you but you don't know which road to take. It was prominent by signifying his sense of despair and hopelessness after university life that I feel not many people realise how hard it can be.

When I finished the book I was sat on a train going back home for the weekend for Mother's Day. I had a big beautiful bunch of flowers for my mum, it reminded me of one of my favourite quotes from his memoir:

“Wherever you are, at any moment, try and find something beautiful. A face, a line out of a poem, the clouds out of a window, some graffiti, a wind farm. Beauty cleans the mind.”

It made me a lot more self-reflective and grateful to visit family. The sun was shining, it was the weekend and my time off to just relax.

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